In this writer's humble opinion, the single greatest invention in the history of mankind (give or take, the odd printing press or internal combustion engine) is Netflix Instant. No single entertainment medium provides such a useful tool in transforming  scores of perfectly productive hours of your life into blissful, zoned-out vegetation. Whether, you spend hours binge-watching Drop Dead Diva (simply because it's on) or you comb through its exhaustive library of terrible B-horror films (I see you Birdermic!), Netflix has something for everyone.

In the spirit of sharing, We at XXL would like to inform our audience of the wide-range of hip-hop documentaries available on the service for your public consumption. Thus, we have compiled a list of classic hip-hop docs that you can watch this very instant on Netflix. Just don't bring Schoolboy Q around if you plan to watch it with your girl.

Rhyme & Reason - Method Man
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Rhyme & Reason - (1997)

Peter Spirer's Rhyme & Reason was released in 1997 and tackled the topic of the growth of the hip-hop industry from its humble roots in the South Bronx to it expansion to a multibillion dollar industry. Over 80 significant artists and cultural figures were interviewed for the film including pioneers KRS-One, Kurtis Blow and Chuck D to some of the 1990s biggest hit makers including Wu-Tang Clan, The Fugees and Diddy. A fascinating look on where the culture came from and where it went.

Copyright Criminals
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Copyright Criminals - (2010)

Copyright Criminals takes a complex and nuanced look at the legal and cultural debate involved with sampling. Directed by Benjamin Franzen, the documentary explores the complications of a cherished cultural practice that is not strictly legal. Franzen explores the history of the art form, as well as, interviews many trailing blazing pioneers and critics of hip-hop's most controversial practice.

Backstage
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 Backstage - (2000)

Few documentaries let you get a true insider's look on how the sausage is made. Chris Fiore's Backstage takes a intimate look of Def Jam's famed 1999 Hard Knock Life Tour. Ego's trip and drama ensues as artists like Jay Z, DMX, Method Man and Redman fight and clash with each other. The documentary also includes live performances and candid interviews regarding hip-hop's groundbreaking tour.

Beef
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Beef - (2003)

The Battle is one of hip-hop's most cherished and dangerous traditions. Beef, directed by Peter Spirer and produced by QDIII, takes a historical look at hip-hop's most famous (and infamous) battles. Spirer breaks the documentary into segments covering everything from Kool Moe Dee vs. LL Cool J to 50 Cent vs. Ja Rule giving the audience a historical look at the famous conflicts between their favorite artists.

Bling
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Bling: A Planet Rock - (2007)

Bling: A Planet Rock, an often hard-hitting, sometimes satirical documentary, follows hip-hop stars, Paul Wall, Raekwon and Tego Calderón as they travel to the heart of Sierra Leone to discover the true price of diamonds and the shiny baubles that hip-hop covets.

Ghostride The Whip
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Ghostride The Whip: The Hyphy Movement - (2008)

Directed by DJ Vlad, Ghostride The Whip: The Hyphy Movement, takes a look at the ridiculous, fun and highly dangerous phenomenon of "ghostriding" -  riding in a car without  driver operating it- and the Bay Area movement that popularized it. Interviewing famous Bay Area rappers like E-40, Mistah F.A.B., Keak Da Sneak and the late Mac Dre, the documentary explores the origins of the practice and the eternal appeal of courting danger.

Biggie & Tupac
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Biggie & Tupac - (2002)

British muckraking documentarian, Nick Broomfield's controversial documentary, Biggie & Tupac, tackles the question that has been on the minds of hip-hop fans for years "who killed Biggie and Tupac?" Exploring taboo threads of the murder investigation like LAPD's alleged involvement and the role of Suge Knight in the murders, the central question remains unanswered by the end of the film but a harrowing picture of police corruption and dysfunction remains.

Art Of Rap 2
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Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap - (2012)

Ice-T's debut film, Something From Nothing: The Art Of Rap, is an intimate and often illuminating look into the craft of being an MC. Interviewing a laundry list of the greatest rappers to ever hold a microphone, Ice-T picks their brains on their creative process, the artists that inspire them and what it takes to call themselves, MC.

Thug Angel Tupac
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Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel: The Life Of An Outlaw - (2002)

Another Peter Spirer/QDIII production, Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel is a biographical documentary capturing the politics, music and life of the late Tupac Shakur. Compiled through archival footage and interviews with family and friends, the documentary is a must-watch for any of Tupac's many fans.


nerdcore rising

Nerdcore Rising

After 40 years of existence, hip-hop has gone into some strange and unexpected places. Enter Nerdcore Rising, Negin Fasad's bizarre and often hilarious documentary exploring the rise of "nerdcore," a geek-culture obsessed subgenre of hip-hop. Nerdcore Rising follows MC Frontalot, a geeky white practitioner of the aesthetic, as he travels the country and performs his brand of hip-hop to enthusiastic and sometimes puzzled audiences.

the mc why we do it
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The MC: Why We Do It - (2005)

Peter Spirer's The MC: Why We Do It is a look at the creative and often insular world of the rapper. Interviewing some of the greatest artists of all-time, the documentary looks at the many diverse aspects of what it takes to rock the microphone.

Style Wars
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Style Wars - (1983)

This 1983 documentary is one of the earliest hip-hop documentaries ever. The film tackles the growing phenomenon of graffiti artists and B-Boys percolating in the underground clubs of inner city, 1980s New York City. Filled with interviews of young graffiti artists explaining their craft and impressive breakdance performances by groups like the Rocksteady Crew, the film won the Grand Jury Prize for Documentaries at the Sundance Film Festival. Originally airing on PBS, Tony Chalant's Style Wars remains the gold standard for hip-hop documentaries everywhere.

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