"Playa-hatas", "straight-up gangstas" and so-called rap "purists" should stay as far away as possible from PICK UP THE MIC. Not just because it presents an "in-your-face" picture of the burgeoning GLBT hip-hop/rap culture, but because it miraculously achieves a feat that mainstream rap seldom does nowadays - it allows non-hardcore rap fans like myself to experience and appreciate what the genre is really supposed to be all about, taking the art form back to its basics. For me, when someone says the word "rap", that automatically takes me back to the old- schoolers: Sugar Hill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Queen Latifah and LL Cool J in their earlier days. Way before the rap world became co-opted by those really focused on the money, media manipulation and the murderous connotations it became dressed up in, once it became mostly about "THUG LIFE." Between Craig Brewer's extraordinary HUSTLE AND FLOW, LOGO's earlier doc, HIP-HOP HOMOS (which featured several of the same artists here in PICK UP) and now this film, I am slowly warming up to the artistry, the raw energy and passion that these rappers bring to their craft, and it doesn't hurt one bit that the attention centers on people who are also members of the GLBT community this time around.Because the music and the rapid-fire lyrics come from the gut, the very heart of each person's experience living as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered men and women, rap suddenly regains its vitality, once again becoming revolutionary, incendiary, political, sexual and most importantly of all...RELEVANT. And of course, none of it would matter if even for their unique personalities and stories, none of the people in this film were any good at it. And they are very, VERY good. With each artist as charismatic and 'larger-than-life' as any mainstream rapper in the spotlight today, director Alex Hinton doesn't have to do much more than follow them around with the camera and just record as much of their interactions as possible, both with each other and their small but enthusiastic audiences. And what a cast this is. Viewers not at all familiar with the scene will be blown away by the introduction to a group like DEEP DICKOLLECTIVE and its founders, Juba Kalamka, Tori Fixx and Tim'm T. West, all producers as well as skilled performers; Katastrophe and Marcus Rene Van, two FTM (Female-To-Male) transgendered performers whom the world would never know were TG's if they weren't brave enough to "keep it real"; Dutchboy, a bisexual rapper who proudly defies simple categorization, and outspoken gay and lesbian Latino artists Deadlee (from HIP-HOP HOMOS as well) and Jen Ro.And that's before you even get to meet Johnny Dangerous, hip-hop's "kissing cousin" to GLBT pop-tart Jonny McGovern (aka "The Gay Pimp') and Aggracyst, a former mainstream rapper/producer who was outed and ousted from what could've been the fast-track to a lucrative but closeted lifestyle and career. Perhaps his story is the one that drives the message of this doc home as effectively as DDC's exploits. Gay and lesbian rap fans or would-be-fans of all ages need to be able to enjoy music that affirms them and their lives as much as rap did in the beginning for black people in general, and PICK UP THE MIC serves an important and uplifting purpose in bringing the message: it's out there. As out there literally as the people who defiantly spearhead the new vanguard of performers bringing something fresh and different to the mix - something that even "regular" aficionados and fans can appreciate, if they keep an open mind.

My partner was recording some tracks when the director was in Minneapolis filming for his documentary. So he got a cameo - which was the main reason we went to the Minneapolis premier of this film. I'll admit - I didn't expect much. But "Pick Up The Mic" is really very good, and arrives at a lot of unexpected insights into the differences between "gay rappers" and "rappers who are gay." There are some surprisingly moving moments, and some great music, and some honest assessments of what the scene means. I felt like it could have used some editing (i.e. cutting) near the end - it's a little padded with performance footage. But overall, it's an impressive and inspiring piece of work. Recommended.

I had the opportunity to see this film while I was attending the SXSW film festival in March. My friend and I just happened upon the summary and although we are not gay, we have many friends in the gay community, thought it would be worth our time.I was highly impressed with the level of work and quality of the project. The artists were amazing and incredibly dedicated to their work, most of them choosing to stick to notoriety within the gay community.I loved it. Some of the artists I had never heard of before are now some of the ones I seek out to listen too. Johnny Dangerous. Katastrophe. QBoy. God-des and She. JenRo. Everyone featured in the film are incredibly talented.A few weeks ago I saw a video from God-des and She on New.Now.Next. Logo's 30 min. music video program with ties to the gay community and I was so excited to see it mainstreamed. What awesome exposure for the girls! Alex Hinton did an amazing job. I can't wait to be able to own it. It's definitely a film I would recommend. I was never really a major fan of hip-hop before but this movie certainly changed my ideas.Check it out. Go ahead, pick it up.

I didn't know much about this film when I saw the flyer at the Sarasota Film Festival. It doesn't give you the best description on any of the posters, but you have to know that this is a wonderful Documentary. I had the pleasure of meeting some of the artists involved w/ the project before seeing the film, which is why I went and caught the screening.After sitting through the stories of the artists involved you learn that all they really want is to be taken seriously as musicians. They aren't just trying to push the envelope w/ being Gay/Lesbian/Transgendered rapers, they are trying to make music that people can relate to.Many people in the audience had the same reaction as I did. They thought this was going to be a political film about Gay culture in the Hip Hop Industry, but you come to find out it isn't that. It is about these artists saying and being themselves, no different the Eminem, 50cent or 'Lil Kim are out there doing right now. They want to talk about issues in their lives and just say what they feel.It's about creative people making a stand for what they love to do, I applaud that. No matter who you are, if you are passionate about something then your passion will rub off on people and make them respect you. I have to say that I respect these artist for their continued determination to make their music heard.I recommend this film to anyone who is of an open mind & loves music, passionate people & humanity. You will want to know these artists through their music, just as I now want to.Check out the Pic Up The Mic website and listen to the artist involved. You might be surprised by what you hear.