Fear of a Black Hat (1994)

Director:

Rusty Cundieff

Writer (WGA):

Rusty Cundieff (written by)

Release Date:

3 June 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Music

Plot:

A mockumentary chronicling the rise and fall of a not particularly talented--or particularly bright but always controversial--1990s hip-hop group, NWH (Niggaz with Hats). |

Plot Keywords:

Hip Hop | Satire | Reference To Paula Abdul | Fake Documentary | Fictional Band

Cast

Mark Christopher Lawrence	...	Tone Def
Larry B. Scott	...	Tasty Taste
Rusty Cundieff	...	Ice Cold
Kasi Lemmons	...	Nina Blackburn
Howie Gold	...	Guy Friesch
G. Smokey Campbell	...	Backstage Manager #1
Bobby Mardis	...	Promoter #1
Brad Sanders	...	Promoter #2
Moon Jones	...	Jam Boy
Tim Hutchinson	...	Reggie Clay
Faizon Love	...	Jam Boy (as Faizon)
Deezer D	...	Jam Boy
Darin Scott	...	Security Head
Devin Kamin	...	Vanilla Sherbet (as Devin Kamienny)
Jeff Burr	...	Chicago Cop

Also Known As:

The Trial of N.W.H. (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

88 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | UK:15 | Canada:13+ (Quebec) | Canada:18A (Ontario) | USA:R

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

Rusty Cundieff shot a version of the project on 3/4" video with a budget of only $600, which helped to sell it to investors.

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: An ITC logo sign is clearly visible to the left in the record company's office.

Quotes:

Tone Def: Yeah. Because when you take the bus... you GET there.
Geoffrey Lennox: [pauses] THAT'S deep.
Ice Cold: Wait, you mean you actually understand what he's saying?
Geoffrey Lennox: Oh, yeah.

Movie Connections:

Spoofed in Tropic Thunder (2008)

Soundtrack:

Booty Juice

The best "mockumentary" ever made

"Fear Of A Black Hat" is everything the (much weaker) "CB-4" SHOULD have been. Rusty Cundieff's satirical eye is ruthless, as he folds, spindles, and mutilates every aspect of hip-hop trends and culture. Does "FoaBH" resemble Spinal Tap? Yes, a bit. Is it derivative of Spinal Tap? No, not really. The aim is more focused, the satire is better focused, and to be honest, it's funnier.