The Hot Spot (2005)

The eternal and recurring dilemma of the emerging hip-hop superstar is the imperative to "keep it real" after "blowing up" and becoming a suddenly rich gangsta poseur. The angry young black man set for a life of opulence and indolence in The Hot Spot (2005) provides a cautionary tale to all of us who would trade in our raggedy old friends, embarrassingly gauche relatives, and dreary, dangerous environment of origin for a new world of sparkling companions, inspiring intimates, and electrified security fences. The old ’hood is not about to let rapper Krunch ascend to his new life without a fight. That chattering bitch Krunch left behind? Her whole crew of meddling harpies? They abscond with the poor boy and impress upon him the reality that no matter how far he rises, these street divas will be climbing every rung along with him, letting him never forget or out step the grit from which he has emerged.