"If nothing else, Pass the Mic! has heart. Writer, director, and editor Richard Montes spent four years making this documentary about Latin hip-hop culture, and it shows. Running at over 52 minutes, the film features interviews from mainstream Latin artists like Mellow Man Ace, ODM from Lighter Shade of Brown and Jacken of Psycho Realm. But it also goes after underground artists like Brown Town Looters, Conejo and Proper Dos. And the movie tries to explore Latin hip-hop’s history and future, as well as follow a radio show hosted by Fidel Rodriquez from Seditious Beats. The surplus of coverage becomes a little overwhelming at times. Luckily, the film cuts back and forth between the interviews and live performances throughout.
Pass the mic! opens with famed old-school Los Angeles radio station KDAY (with Funkdoobiest DJ Ralph M, legendary Julio G and producer Tony G). After some concert material and random quotes, the film presents text on the media labeling hip-hop as a black art form, with record labels signing blacks and Latinos who were working underground. Quotes from artists provide little help. Mellow Man Ace (as well as the other artists) are very vague about times and actual events.
For more detailed information, check out the mind-boggling extras section, which features great interviews and quotes from Montes, as well as a hilarious Delinquent Habits interview and a discussion of what hip-hop means to various artists. What Pass the mic! does provide is a lot of information in a short amount of time about artist dealings with shady record labels, "going from welfare to a huge-ass check" (courtesy of Psycho Realm’s Jacken) and trying to sell records despite record labels and the media looking at hip-hop as a black art form." Written By Wes Woods II
