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What is the focus of Steven Kendall's book New Jack Cinema?
What is the focus of Steven Kendall's book New Jack Cinema?
In the context of Steven Kendall's book, what do 'New Jacks' refer to?
In the context of Steven Kendall's book, what do 'New Jacks' refer to?
Why were some excellent independent films excluded from Steven Kendall's?
Why were some excellent independent films excluded from Steven Kendall's?
Teddy Riley's music was a unique blend of elements from classical, country, and reggae.
Teddy Riley's music was a unique blend of elements from classical, country, and reggae.
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Barry Michael Cooper argued that New Jack Swing reflected the street culture content through the desire for expensive cars, clothes, and jewelry.
Barry Michael Cooper argued that New Jack Swing reflected the street culture content through the desire for expensive cars, clothes, and jewelry.
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Quincy Jones provided Barry Michael Cooper with the opportunity to star in an urban crime drama.
Quincy Jones provided Barry Michael Cooper with the opportunity to star in an urban crime drama.
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Big-D and Doctor Dre defined a New Jack as someone who is experienced in hip-hop music.
Big-D and Doctor Dre defined a New Jack as someone who is experienced in hip-hop music.
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Fab Five Freddie defined a New Jack as someone who excels in every situation they are in.
Fab Five Freddie defined a New Jack as someone who excels in every situation they are in.
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Eddie Murphy is mentioned as being one of the authors defining 'New Jack' in a slang dictionary.
Eddie Murphy is mentioned as being one of the authors defining 'New Jack' in a slang dictionary.
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Prince is referenced by Fab Five Freddie in his book about New Jacks.
Prince is referenced by Fab Five Freddie in his book about New Jacks.
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The phrase 'Fresh Fly Favor' was coined by Fab Five Freddie in 1992.
The phrase 'Fresh Fly Favor' was coined by Fab Five Freddie in 1992.
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Study Notes
The Origins of "New Jack"
- The term "New Jack" originated in the 1980s, linked to journalist Barry Michael Cooper's magazine articles about music producer Teddy Riley and his "New Jack Swing" music style.
- "New Jack Swing" was a type of pop music influenced by urban street culture, combining elements of funk, gospel, hip-hop, and jazz.
Evolution of the Term
- The phrase "New Jack" became part of the cultural lingo in the early 1990s, as seen in an article by rappers Big-D and Doctor Dre in Emerge Magazine (March 1990).
- In this article, a New Jack was defined as "A member of the African American cultural vanguard of hip hop music."
- Later, author Fab Five Freddie defined a New Jack as "a person new to a situation making an attempt at being the best" in his book Fresh Fly Favor: Words and Phrases of the Hip-Hop Generation (Long Meadow Press, 1992).
Definition of a New Jack in Film
- The author's definition of a New Jack, as applied to African American film directors, is a blend of the two discussed above.
- A New Jack filmmaker is a member of the African American cultural vanguard, making an attempt at being the best in their field.
Background of the Book
- The book focuses on New Jack films that have reached a mass audience, excluding independent films with limited exposure.
- The book is organized into three parts: The Beginning of the New Jack Era (1986-1990), The Renaissance Year (1991), and The New Jack Spirit Continues (after 1991).
- Each chapter includes a short biographical profile of a specific New Jack director and background information on their work.
Excluded Directors
- Directors like Richard Pryor, Prince, and Eddie Murphy are excluded from the book because they directed films as a result of their previous success as actors, not as a result of their passion and commitment to filmmaking as New Jacks.
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Test your knowledge on famous African American filmmakers mentioned in the text, such as Spike Lee, John Singleton, Robert Townsend, and more. Identify their contributions and achievements in Hollywood.