Russell V9. Rhyme & Reason (1997)
Released in 1997 and directed by Peter Spirer, Rhyme & Reason is perhaps the all-encompassing hip-hop documentary on the list. Rhyme & Reason features many facets and tangents in the culture of hip-hop; it’s got everything from its roots in jazz and gospel to the blueprint for a culture that strives to give those in tough situations a voice. The impressive part about Rhyme & Reason is the way Spirer is able to effortlessly weave in-and-out between the many subjects and still make a cohesive documentary that isn’t muddled by incoherencies. It also features some incredible interviews with the likes of Lauryn Hill, Nas, Ice-T, Kurtis Blow, and more.