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Wild Style was released by First Run Features in 1983 and was the first and foremost hip hop motion film. Charlie Ahearn directed this motion picture which featured Lee Quinones, Fab Five Freddy, Rock Steady Crew, Patti Astor, Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Flash and Sandra Fabara. Lee Quinones who is a legendary graffiti artist in New York plays the protagonist Zorro. In 1981, There was an earlier version of the motion picture which appeared in 1981 when the director requested Dondi, a graffiti writer to paint a subway car window piece which also makes its appearance in the film. This piece by Dondi was an inspiration for the animated title designed by Zephyr in 1982. Zephyr redesigned the Wild Style logo and this film has an honest representation of real life personalities and people, even though the roles are played by actors.
The film centers on several significant figures from the hip hop culture in the early days engaging in various activities including break dancing, turntables and graffiti art. Wild Style became a critically acclaimed film and even had a large cult following for many years thereafter. Hip hop albums highly regarded in the modern world has included Wild Style elements in songs such as, Check Your Head, Illmatic, Big Shots and Quality Control. Wild Style has been paid tribute for its influence and recognition on the hip hop culture.
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