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CineChart: Director Jonathan Levine's Hip-Hop Favorites

Hip-hop plays an integral role in The Wackness, the story of a high school graduate-cum-drug dealer named Luke (Josh Peck) who experiences familiar growing pains during a sweltering New York summer in 1994. With nerve-pulsing beats by Wu-Tang Clan and Nas reverberating in the background, the film evokes memories of boomboxes blaring on street corners and stolen kisses set to R. Kelly’s buttery vocals. Director Jonathan Levine’s well-edited musical backdrop is indicative of his trustworthy taste, which is why ARTISTdirect propositioned him for a list of his Top 10 hip-hop albums. Below you’ll find a short selection of essential listening that will afford you aural pleasure for the remainder of blockbuster movie season (and beyond). Of course, for a strict slice of '94 nostalgia, you can always take home The Wackness' carefully cultivated soundtrack to achieve the same ends.

Illmatic, Nas





Ready To Die, Notorious B.I.G.





Stakes is High, De La Soul





Reasonable Doubt, Jay-Z





Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), Wu-Tang Clan





The Chronic, Dr. Dre





It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Public Enemy





Moment of Truth, Gang Starr





Check Your Head, Beastie Boys





Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, The Pharcyde





—Heidi Atwal
07.21.08