German PremiereUnited States 2020Language:EnglishDirector:Justin StapleCinematographer:Jake Moore, Michael Marius, PessahEditor:Justin StapleMusic:Ben WilkinsSound:Antony MetaxakisWith:Lil Peep, Smokepurpp, Bhad BharbieProducer:Braxton Pope, Kerstin EmhoffProduction Company:VenturelandDistributor:Justin Staple79 min, Colour

Another hip-hop documentary? No! Far from the usual distribution channels and well-known battles, a self-empowered scene of articulate young artists has established itself in the genre of hip-hop in recent years. Terms like Soundcloud Rap indicate how tracks or albums are created and find their listeners: Produced at home, published on the well-known platforms YouTube or Soundcloud. Loaded and celebrated. And hated and died. Unifying elements are short lives and a previously unseen hatred of society and circumstances. Escape in music, but also drugs and violence. AMERICAN RAPSTAR manages to convey this in an impressive way.

Director's Biography:Justin Staple is a producer, director, photographer and documentary filmmaker. As an acclaimed videographer and photographer, he has worked with Ozzy Osbourne and Katy Perry among others. Recently, his cinematic work has consisted mainly of music documentaries.

Director's Filmography:
2018 XXXTENTACION LIVE IN LOS ANGELES
2017 THE THERAPIST
2017 YOUR WAR (I'M ONE OF YOU): 20 YEARS OF JOAN OF ARC (DOKU)
2016 NOISEY