Beat Street

Dir. Stan Lathan. 1984, 105 mins. 35mm. With Rae Dawn Chong, Guy Davis, Jon Chardiet, Leon W. Grant, Saundra Santiago, Robert Taylor, Lee Chamberlin, Mary Alice. Though it wasn’t the breakout breakdancing hit of the summer of 1984—that would be the Los Angeles-set, Cannon-produced Breakin’—the Harry Belafonte–produced, Arthur Baker–scored Beat Street made a bigger impact globally, and has aged much better as both a Black-led musical and an invaluable document of early ’80s hip-hop culture in New York. After three pals from the South Bronx—DJ Kenny Kirkland (Davis), his B-boy brother Lee (Taylor), and graffiti artist Ramon (Chardiet)—wow the crowd at the Roxy in Manhattan, a cultured jazz artist (Chong) offers to help them achieve their dreams. Yet the culture of the street, and an unexpected tragedy, stand in their way. The film features a legendary dance battle between the famous Rock Steady Crew and New York City Breakers, and musical performances by Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five, Doug E. Fresh, Afrika Bambaataa & Soulsonic Force, the Treacherous Three, and many others. (Released June 8, 1984) 

Tickets: $15 / $11 senior and students / $9 youth (ages 3–17) / discounted for MoMI members ($7–$11). Order tickets. Please pick up tickets at the Museum’s admissions desk upon arrival. All seating is general admission. Review safety protocols before your visit.