About this project
$50,811
409
IMPORTANT UPDATE 7/26
This Kickstarter campaign has garnered a lot of press, but to have the New York Times feature me and recognize the importance of Graffiti Rock in Hip Hop culture is a great honor for which I am deeply humbled. Click the link below to read the article.
The Kickstarter has also been featured in Paper Magazine, XXL, Hip Hop DX, Hip Hop Wired, 12ozProphet, Urb, Frank 151 and Rap Genius.
In 1984, I, Michael Holman, was successful in producing and broadcasting the first ever, nation-wide, Hip Hop variety television show, Graffiti Rock. The show featured Run DMC's greatest televised performance ever (of "Sucker M.C.'s"), as well as Kool Moe Dee and Special K of The Treacherous Three, The New York City Breakers, and a studio dance crowd that included the likes of young Vincent Gallo (Buffalo 66, Brown Bunny) and Debi Mazar (Goodfellas, L.A. Law, Entourage).
“Graffiti Rock was an incredible show... Michael Holman was a genius.” ~ Debi Mazar (on Jimmy Kimmel Live)
Soon, it will be the 30th Anniversary of the airing of Graffiti Rock and through your contributions, we will re-master the 1 inch broadcast video tape of the show (on to DVD) as well as produce a new, feature length film called Graffiti Rock: The Untold Story. Graffiti Rock: The Untold Story will be an in-depth documentary that captures the memories and reactions of today's Hip Hop celebrities to first seeing Graffiti Rock, and how it impacted their lives. The documentary will also capture the "behind the scenes" making of Graffiti Rock, as well as my own personal experiences and accomplishments as a Hip Hop Pioneer, helping to introduce Hip Hop Culture to New York's Downtown Art Scene and eventually to the rest of the world.
“Whaasup? Graffiti Rock's the first RAP Show on TV that's what's up. Michael Holman doing his Don Cornelius with Run DMC and Kool Moe Dee years before Yo! MTV Raps dropped. Super FRESH on your own box - now check it.” ~ Charlie Ahearn (Director Wild Style)
Along with the 30th Anniversary release of Graffiti Rock, combined with Graffiti Rock: The Untold Story documentary, we will include in the DVD package:
Never-before-seen footage from my private, Hip Hop video collection, including: the first Hip Hop film ever made, Catch a Beat featuring Crazy Legs and the Rock Steady Crew; and rare, unseen, local, New York cable Hip Hop television shows from 1982, featuring DJ Afrika Bambaataa, DJ Jazzy Jay, Fab 5 Freddy, Doug E. Fresh, Grand Mixer DXT, DJ Jazzy Joyce (first female Hip Hop DJ), K-Rob and the New York City Breakers.
In addition, some of the incentives to pledge support to this history making project are: a signed vinyl recording by Kool Moe Dee of a remix of the Graffiti Rock theme song; limited edition posters and T-shirts; a reproduction of a Graffiti Rock Press & Production Kit (including loads of historical documents, flyers, etc.); opportunities to spend time with me in New York City in a social and educational capacity; and the chance to be personally credited in both Graffiti Rock, The 30th Anniversary Edition and Graffiti Rock: The Untold Story.
“Graffiti Rock is the Soul Train of Hip Hop.” ~ Ricky Powell (photographer)
With your help and support - and with my experience and skills as an award-winning filmmaker & television producer, with national broadcast credits, as-well-as the creator, producer and host of Graffiti Rock itself - the Graffiti Rock 30th Anniversary Edition will be an important contribution to Global Pop Culture, as it educates, inspires, and entertains Hip Hop fans worldwide.
"Back in 1984, the excitement that surrounded the show, as a young kid, was inescapable in New York City. We want Graffiti Rock, NOW!" ~ Q-Tip
GRAFFITI ROCK PRESS:
Genius Rap (by Syd Caesar, May 12, 2002): “Graffiti Rock captures a classic periodof Hip Hop history. A quarter century after its creation, this special is evenbetter than it was back then. It's doubtful that Michael Holman knew howtimeless his show would be, but he created something that may outliveus all.Nuff respect due.” http://geniusrap.com/hip-hop-dvds/graffiti-rock-and-other-hip-hop-delights-dvd.html
Time Magazine (by Wook Kim, Feb.,2012): “Top 10 Music TV Shows:Graffiti Rock…an urban-flavored musicshow that would do for rap and street culture what Soul Train did for R&B, funk, and soul.” http://entertainment.time.com/2012/02/03/top-10-music-tv-shows/slide/graffiti-rock/
Rap Genius (author, date N/A):“A live cypher from the extremely short-lived (one episode!) but hellaimportant 1984 TV show Graffiti Rock. …hellaimportant…” http://rapgenius.com/Run-dmc-graffiti-rock-freestyle-lyrics
Dangerous Minds (by Ron Nachmann,June, 2011): “Before Yo!MTV Raps and Rap City hit the markets in the late ‘80s, New Yorkculture maven Michael Holmanfirst made the move to put hip-hop culture on TV with the show Graffiti Rock.Graffiti Rock proved a legendarysnapshot into what hip-hopTV was about to be. What a shot in the arm it wouldhave been for the culture.” http://dangerousminds.net/comments/graffiti_rock_hip-hop_breaks_into_americas_living_rooms_in_1984
OldSchoolHipHop (author N/A, Jan. 7, 2010): “…a blazingperformance from the one and only Run DMCclad in their all black leather outfits. They perform “Sucker M.C’s”alongside Jam Master Jay. This show is for the die-hard hip-hopfan. A true hip-hop and television classic. It makes you think backto when corporate America was hating on this culture that was still in itsprime. This show is really ahead of its time and there is no other showlike it.“http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/video/graffitirock.htm
Risks and challenges
As an award-winning filmmaker and television producer, I am perfectly suited to bring this project to fulfillment, however, with any project, there are inherent risks and challenges. For this project, here are the risks and challenges that stand out as being of greatest concern:
1. Documentary's possible delay of production, considering availability of interview subjects and their schedules, and footage and music licensing issues.
2. Un-forseen manufacturing delays of product packaging.
However, with my experience as a film and television producer (see credits and awards below), the above mentioned risks and challenges - if they arise - will be easily addressed.
MICHAEL HOLMAN BIO
SCREENWRITER & 2ND UNIT DIRECTOR on "Basquiat", 1996, feature film release for Miramax, wrote screenplay and directed short film featured in "Basquiat" titled "Vincent Gallo as Flying Christ."
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER on "Beat Street," 1984, feature film release for Orion Pictures.
WRITER/PRODUCER/DIRECTOR OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMING
Director for Nickelodeon's "Blue's Clues," a prime-time preschooler's entertainment/ educational series, 1996.
Director for Discovery Channel's "Future Tense," sponsored by IBM, 1991.
Writer/Director/Producer for Nickelodeon's "Eureeka's Kastle," an ACE Award winning Children's Program, 1989-91.
Creator/Host/Producer of "Graffiti Rock," first ever, nationally syndicated, Hip Hop television show, 1984.
PRODUCER/WRITER/DIRECTOR OF TV COMMERCIALS & MUSIC VIDEOS
"Ossie Davis Voter Protection Campaign, 2004"
"Just Say No" - PSA International, 1996
"Coliseum Books" - Spot. Agency: Time Warner City Cable, 1994
"Run DMC/My Adidas" - Spot. Agency: Young & Rubicam, 1988
"Deelite/Power Of Love" - music video, 1992
"Raheem/Dance Floor" - music video, 1990
"Run DMC/Christmas In Hollis" - music video, 1987
"Doug E. Fresh/All The Way To Heaven" - music video, 1987
AWARDS
- Paulette Goddard Award for Best Film (NYU Student Film)
- Rolling Stone Magazine's Best Music Video of the Year (Run DMC's Christmas in Hollis)
- ACE Award (for Eureeka's Kastle, Nickelodeon)
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Funding period
- (45 days)