Apr 6 2013 – To truly understand the roots of hip hop in of all places Mongolia, we need to turn back the dial to 1980. Back to rampant food rationing, back to long queues in sub-zero temperatures, right back to socialism. Restless youths growing up in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia would have to coast another 15 years before the roots of democracy would usher in their musical awakening in this ground breaking documentary, Mongolian Bling.
Mongolian youth were inherently curious about the new images and infectious beats flooding their TV’s. That curiosity provided the ideal genesis for Mongolian kids and western influences to collide. Hip hop culture with its anti-establishment origins and homeboy street cred struck more than a chord with the disenfranchised youth.
Early trailblazers like the hip hop duo Black Rose bridged this new genre by creating elaborate theatrical productions in full Mongolian regalia backed by sweet beats. Soaring Enya-inspired harmonies were placed over dub lyrics and the new sound resonated with Mongolian kids inspiring the next generation. Newbies like Quiza, Gee, Enkhtivan, Bayarmagnai, and Gennie, immersed themselves in the revolutionary sounds of MC Hammer, Vanilla Inc., Snoop Dogg, Cypress Hill and Wu Tang Clan to name a few. The result: an energy infused lyrical history that breaks all the rules.
Review 3.5 / 5: Director, Benj Bink’s narrative straddles the line between history channel intel and this new emerging musical art form. The brilliantly executed elements of disconnected sounds is carefully layered with competing images to create a mesmerising interlude in the middle of the film. This was joyously unexpected. Mongolian Bling gives you a brilliant musical mashup, where West meets East meets youth.
This Hip Hop juggernaut won’t be denied, even in Mongolia.
Genres: Documentary | Music
Director: Benj Binks
Writer: Benj Binks
Producer: Nubar Ghazarian
Cast: Gennie, Quiza, Gee, Black Rose, Badral, Tsogo, Ganbold, Enkhtaivan, Bayarmagnai, Zorigtbaatar, Munkhsaikhan, Streemen
Runtime: 90 min.
