“That’s what NWH is all about. We got a whole hat philosophy, you know what I’m saying?”

Justin’s rating: Headgear has never seemed so possible

Justin’s review: The ’90s may have been a golden age for the indie film, but there was another fringe trend that really picked up steam during this same decade — the “hood” film. So many movies came out starring black actors and typically featuring urban life, gangstas, and/or Ice Cube and Chris Tucker slacking off. Many of these films were serious and even tragic, but not all. Humor and satire can be powerful weapons, and 1993’s Fear of a Black Hat wields both to great effect.

Think of this as the urban version of This Is Spinal Tap, a mockumentary that follows around a goofy band that clearly thinks it’s far better than it actually is. Except that instead of British rockers, this is a hip-hop group called N.W.H. whose main gimmick is wearing ridiculous hats, disrespecting women, and being generally bad at their day jobs.

N.W.H. is so bad at rapping, in fact, that most of their lyrics loop right around from “absolutely terrible” and into “inspired genius” territory. They’re perhaps the worst subjects for a serious look at hip-hop, as they seem to court controversy more than skill. In a weird way, it makes me think of how The Office’s (fake) documentarians struck gold by latching on to the worst boss in the world with Michael Scott.

Watching the trio of N.W.H. swagger around and act like they’re the kings of the urban jungle makes it all the funnier when they open their mouth and step in it again and again. These guys are 95% blowhard attitude and 5% brains, living egos that always have a twisted defense of their twisted worldview. Listening to them try to explain their deep philosophy of hats and slavery will make your eyes cross — as is intended, I’m sure.

Easily some of the best laughs come from the occasional snippets of music videos or concert performances by these three. There’s some inspired parody at work in these brief asides, and. you can tell that the filmmakers know this territory well to be able to tweak it so concisely.

Yet I would be remiss not to acknowledge how profane and crude the group’s language is. You know those “Parental Advisory” stickers on albums and what they implied? Slap one of those stickers on every scene here and you’ll be prepared.

As N.W.H. strives to get the respect and success they crave, every situation works against them. They’re left off the sign of a marquee, their songs are constantly censored, they’re racially profiled by security guards, and they’re denounced by the Supreme Court. Eventually, the group falls — and falls hard — and the documentary is there to chronicle every step toward the bottom.

Satires often ask a serious question, and I think the question here is this: Beyond the outlandish outfits and posturing, do groups like this have anything of substance to say… or are they just as vapid and pretentious as the rest of the mainstream music industry? Maybe they’re just empty hats in the end.

Intermission!

• The opening warning really gives it to George Bush
• “Don’t wear a toupee ’cause that’s assimilation”
• “Hats offer enclosure from deadly exposure”
• The controversial and never released “Kill Whitey” album
• “They say it’s the silent ones you gotta watch out for.” “And you’ll notice I ain’t said s**t for a couple minutes now!”
• Don’t ever smile, even while making love
• MC Slammer
• Forget a hat? Make it out of a newspaper! “I ain’t going out there with page 7 on my head!”
• Vanilla Sherbet’s neck gets really messed up
• “Kill Whitey” is referring to Whitey DeLuca, their old manager
• They’re better than Salt ‘n Pepa: “They come in two spices, we in four!”
• All of the Ice rappers: Ice Cold, Ice Water, Ice Berg, Ice Cup, Ice Coffee, Ice Box
• They only hire white managers because their managers keep getting shot
• “It’s a strong title.” “It comes from a strong mind!”
• I have to feel that the fashion photo is a dig at Kris Kross’ backwards outfits
• The shooting range with the KKK standups
• He’s got THREE pagers, that’s the life
• This cop obviously loves Twister
• The rap groups competing in front of school children is the best scene
• “Tasty-Taste was shot with a bazooka! He was six foot four before he was capped!”
• New Mack Village