Title: Black And Blue: Legend of the Hip Hop Cop
Year Of Release: 2006
Review Date: December 31, 2010
Rating: R
Running time: 87 minutes
Box Office Gross: N/A
Site Rating: 4 out of 10 stars
"Black And Blue: Legend of the Hip Hop Cop" is an interesting documentary following the work of former police officer Derrick Parker. The New York Police Department and Miami Beach Police Department have collaborated to spy on rappers in the entertainment industry, compiling a massive dossier that is passed around among agencies, including the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation).
The documentary features a number of rappers and music industry executives, angered at the dossier that has been assembled on them, tracking their movements. The Reverend Al Sharpton questions the legitimacy of this initiative, as individuals who were not under indictment, are being spied on, with voluminous files being kept in this regard.
Derrick Parker
However, that being said, to be fair, some rappers have given the police much reason to be concerned and launch investigations, as acts of violence are more common in hip hop than any other genre of music. This is undeniable. There have been slayings on public streets, where famous rappers were gunned down in brutal fashion.
Many rappers have also engaged in financial crimes, attempting to live the lavish lifestyle fictitiously portrayed on their albums and in music videos. Police work being what it is, means such criminal activity will show up on their radar and face intense scrutiny. But, thankfully for the entertainment industry, the FBI takes bribes and is at the top of the law enforcement chain of command.