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Beat Street was released in 1984 which features the hip hop culture in New York City at that time. The film is based on life in the South Bronx and the story is wrapped around a pair of brothers along with their friends. This group of friends are all following various forms of hip hop culture. Guy Davis plays Kenny Kirkland who is a disc jockey, while Robert Taylor plays his brother Lee. Lee is part of the Beat Street dance group. Ramon is Kenny’s best friend played by Jon Chardiet who is a graffiti artist and Leon W Grant plays Chollie, the self styled promoter/manager.
At the beginning of the film you see the main characters getting ready for a house party held in an abandoned apartment. Kenny is the main DJ at this party, while Lee and his Beat Street group though uninvited, come for the party and become tangled with their rival group known as the Rock Steady Crew. The squatter played by Dean Elliot is the one who breaks up the fight and is befriended by Kenny, Ramon and Chollie.
Kenny’ dream has been to perform at top nightclubs in New York City. The Roxy is the biggest club and on one of his visits he meets Tracy Charlson, played by Rae Dawn Chong who is a music composer and student. There is a battle of break-dancing between Rock Steady and Breakers. During their performance Tracy takes a liking to Lee. She invites Lee to audition for a television dancing show. Kenny, Lee and the entire crew come for the dance rehearsal. Lee’s performance is not well received. Kenny fiercely protective of his brother gets angry at Tracy for giving false promises to Lee. Ramon steals Lee’s video dance tape and they walk out of the rehearsal show. The next part of the film shows a remorseful Tracy who visits Kenny to make an apology. Lee is not at home, and Kenny is working on a mixing tape. Tracy assures Kenny that she made no promises to Lee. She then shows an interest in what Kenny is doing and they seem to find mutual ground. They both head towards the subway to meet with Ramon and Lee. Kenny and Tracy seem to hit it off and spend the day together walking and talking.
Chollie suggests that Kenny take a guest spot at a club called Burning Spear. Kenny spins as well as presents a skit with a Christmas theme. The club is run by DJ Kool Herc. The crowd is drawn into a frenzy which convinces Kool Herc to ask Kenny back to his home. This regular gig soon turns into a stepping stone for both Kenny and Chollie. Meanwhile, at the Roxy auditions are being held to find new talent. After Kenny’s audition, the talent scout seems impressed and offers a New Year’s Eve performance to Kenny. While working on his material Kenny accidentally deletes his work. He then leaves the studio angry saying that he has enough material to work with.
The film also focuses on Ramon whose father despises his graffiti job and demands that he looks for something else. Ramon gets a job at a hardware store, but continues to think of subway trains as his painting canvas. There is a fight during the film where Ramon meets his ultimate death. The entire group is devastated by Ramon’s death, and Kenny even thinks of not performing at the Roxy on New Year’s Eve. But, with Tracy’s help Kenny’s one gig show turns into a huge celebration. The grand finale of the film showcases a rap performance given by Kenny, which also shows Ramon’s graffiti work displayed in the background.
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