The Sixth Borough | WATCH DOCS

A pulsing fusion of music, politics, and cultural history, this film spotlights the overlooked role Long Island played in shaping hip-hop in the late 20th century. Local artists, including Public Enemy, Rakim, EPMD, and De La Soul, are celebrated not only for their groundbreaking sound but also for their confrontation of social and political issues, as their work brought racism, police brutality, and political hypocrisy to the forefront of East Coast rap. Veteran director and editor Jason Pollard weaves archival performances with news footage and reflections from hip-hop legends like Chuck D and Method Man. The result is a dynamic, funk-driven journey through the social transformation churning through New York’s suburbs. 

Konrad Wirkowski