In the documentary “It Was All a Dream,” veteran music journalist and filmmaker dream hampton explores the early days of The Source magazine, where she learned to appreciate and critique some of the greatest artists of a generation. Moving to New York in 1990 to study film at NYU, hampton joined the staff of The Source a few months later.

Premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival, “It Was All a Dream” delves into hampton’s early years in New York, using footage from her personal archives to reflect on her work for various publications between 1993 and 1999.

As hampton reflects on hip hop as a genre of “kamikaze capitalists” and explores the genre’s commercial success and misogynistic tendencies, the documentary features interviews with iconic figures like Biggie Smalls, Method Man, and Snoop.

More than just a time capsule of hip-hop’s past, “It Was All a Dream” emphasizes the importance of documentation and preservation in music journalism, highlighting the ongoing conversations about gender and distribution within the genre.

Through interviews with female rappers and industry executives, the documentary adds depth to the current hip hop landscape, connecting past debates about ownership and greed to present-day reflections by artists like Megan Thee Stallion and Cardi B.

Offering rare perspectives from hip hop legends and controversial figures, “It Was All a Dream” captures intimate moments and candid interviews, showcasing the genre’s evolution over time.

As hampton navigates different hip hop scenes and explores themes of self-expression and regional rivalries, the documentary underscores the genre’s significance as a political tool and a platform for artists’ aspirations and dreams.

Reflecting on the importance of publications like The Source in preserving hip hop history, “It Was All a Dream” prompts questions about the changing landscape of music media and the role of archival work in shaping community narratives.

Driven by a passion for hip hop and a commitment to documenting its history, hampton emerges as a custodian of the genre’s legacy in “It Was All a Dream,” showcasing the power of individual archives in shaping a collective narrative.

/Digital Sauce

Dream hampton explores her early years in New York in documentary It Was All a Dream
Film features footage from personal archives shot between 1993 and 1995
Focuses on hip hop genre and its historical significance
Interviews with artists like Biggie, Method Man, and Snoop
Discusses gender, capital, and craft in hip hop
Highlights the importance of archival work in music journalism
Explores the evolution of hip hop distribution and misogyny
Provides perspectives from various hip hop artists and industry figures
Emphasizes the importance of preserving the history of hip hop
Showcases the role of individual archives in building a community narrative.