Winner of Audience Awards in Toronto, Los Angeles and Seattle, THIS IS THE LIFE tells the little known story of 50+ teenagers from South Central LA who collectively rejected gang rap to explore the possibilities of estoeric hip hop.
In the film, we chronicle "The Good Life" emcees, the alternative music movement they developed, and their worldwide influence on the artform. The film explores how their creative choice was made and the dramatic effect it had on their careers.
The film features new interviews and rare performance footage by these teens, who went on to become some of the biggest names in alternative rap today: Jurassic 5, Cut Chemist, Chali 2na, Pigeon John, Abstract Rude, CVE, Ellay Khule, 2Mex, Freestyle Fellowship, Medusa and many more.

2010 Black Reel Wards, Black Reel Outstanding Independent Feature Nomination
2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival, Audience Choice Award Best Documentary Winner
2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival, Jury Award - Honorable Mention Documentary
2008 Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival, Audience Award Best Documentary Award Winner
2008 Los Angeles Pan African Film Festival, Jury Award Honorable Mention Winner
2008 Toronto ReelWorld Film Festival, Audience Award Documentary Winner
2008 Seattle Langston Hughes African-American Film Festival, Audience Award Winner
Film opened theatrically, in LA on March 10, 2009 and premiered on Showtime in May 2009
Ava Du Vernay is a director to watch! Really good movie!