Cool Hunting

Wooden acting and choppy production quality aside (we think it's part of its charm), when "Wild Style" was produced in 1982 the movie-going public was barely aware of the burgeoning hip hop scene sprouting up in the decaying urban centers that had been abandoned by the comfortable classes in the previous decade.

“Nothing else comes close to capturing the atmosphere of the early days of hip-hop and spray can art, of the burned-out and derelict Bronx,” recently noted The Guardian newspaper in England.

Centered around a 22-year-old graffiti artist named “Zoro” (real life Brooklyn artist Lee Quiñones) and shot on location in the the city's rail yards with the generous permission of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the film helped bring break dancers, hip hop DJs and the portrayal of graffiti as an art form (as opposed to abject vandalism) into the nation's consciousness.

Twenty-five years later after its release, the independently produced film that helped springboard the likes of Grandmaster Flash and Fab Five Freddy has been reissued by Rhino Records. To celebrate, we're giving away copies of the 25th anniversary DVD and book. Some of the extras included with the commemorative DVD include a documentary short featuring footage from the 20th Anniversary concert and new interviews with the musicians featured in the film.

One grand prize winner will receive: a "Wild Style" DVD (25th Anniversary Edition) and a Wild Style book (also available directly from the publisher, PowerHouse. Two runners up will each receive: a DVD copy of "Wild Style (25th Anniversary Edition)."

To enter follow the contact link at the bottom of the page, select "Wild Style Giveaway" from the pull-down menu by Tuesday, 20 November 2007, 11:59pm EST.