Belly (film)
Encyclopedia
Belly is a 1998 film, the film directorial debut of music video director
Hype Williams
. Filmed in New York City
as an urban drama, the film stars rappers DMX
and Nas
, alongside with Taral Hicks
, Method Man
dancehall artist Louie Rankin, R&B singer T-Boz
. Besides starring in the film, Nas also narrates and collaborated with Hype Williams on the screenplay.
) and Sincere (Nas
), along with fellow crew members Mark and Black, rob a nightclub. After dropping Black off, the others go to Tommy's house to hide out for a while. Their noise wakes up Keisha (Taral Hicks
), Tommy's girlfriend, who is trying to sleep. Sincere says that he too is tired, and he and Mark leave soon after. Sincere returns to his house, where his wife Tionne (Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins
) and baby Kenya wait. Back at Tommy's house, Tommy learns of a new, potent form of heroin that is making its way to America.
After a passionate night with their women, Tommy and Sincere meet early in the morning and Tommy tells Sincere about the new drug, and also how much money they could make if they got involved with Tommy's friend Ox, a drug lord who is receiving shipments. Reluctantly, Sincere agrees.
The duo, along with some of their friends from the neighborhood, start transporting drugs (hidden in their car bumpers) from Queens to Omaha
, and begin to take over the drug scene there. This is met with jealousy from a local drug dealer named Rico (Tyrin Turner
), who informs the police of their activities. This results in a raid at their stash-house, in which Mark is killed and another accomplice, Knowledge is arrested. Knowledge calls back home from the local jail and is told by Keisha that Tommy isn't there, nor should he have called home since the FBI had placed wire taps on their phone. Knowledge gets angry that Tommy won't come to bail him out, and calls up Shameek (Method Man
), to not only infiltrate Rico's gang and to kill Rico, but to handle Tommy.
Meanwhile, Tommy goes to Jamaica with Ox, and kills the son of a drug lord there, as a favor to Ox. When the deceased's family finds out that is was Ox who ordered the hit, they send a hit squad to kill him in his home, and Ox is able to kill them all before a femme fatale
swoops down from his top floor and slits his throat.
While this is going on, Sincere has been trying to get out of the drug game and move his girlfriend and child to Africa, despite Tommy's jokes that he was getting soft for wanting to leave. They make plans to leave on New Years, 2000. However, now Sincere is suspicious of Tommy; since the Omaha incident, Tommy has been on the run and was caught in Atlanta, GA. Sincere feels that Tommy would give him up to save himself. This was not the case. Tommy was chosen by federal agents to assassinate a black Muslim leader, Rev. Saviour, (Dr. Benjamin Chavis) who had been preaching against the government.
On New Years' Eve, Tommy confronts the leader in his study before he was to make a massive speech of hope and points his gun at him. The leader convinces Tommy not to go through with his mission, even though it was betraying the government and now putting his life at risk.
At the same time, Shameek visits Keisha's home, in the hopes of finding Tommy there. Sha slaps Keisha around, but Keisha is able to grab his gun right before he was going to kill her. Instead, she turns the gun on him.
Sincere, having known everything that was going on, and surviving an attempt on his life too by his old friend Black, takes that moment to get out of New York as his family starts life over in Africa.
. Although it was generally praised for its highly stylized "noir-like
" visual design and cinematography, it was criticized for what was seen as a weak plot. However, it remains much more popular with hip hop audiences, and also with dancehall reggae fans due to cameos by Jamaican entertainment personalities Mr Vegas, Sean Paul
, Skyjuice, Bogle
and Louie Rankin
playing the part of Ox. It was re-released on DVD in November 2003 in a black package. The scene in which the Jamaican drug lord's house is raided is heavily influenced by the 1983 film, Scarface
.
has already been released, starring rapper The Game
. No one has confirmed as to whether or not that this is the true sequel to Belly.
Music video director
A music video director is driven by a given music track. These are called music videos and are then used as promotional tools for popular music singles...
Hype Williams
Hype Williams
Harold "Hype" Williams , previously known as HYPE, is an American music video and film director of African-American and Honduran descent. His nickname "Hype" comes from his hyperactive nature as a child....
. Filmed in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
as an urban drama, the film stars rappers DMX
DMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
and Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
, alongside with Taral Hicks
Taral Hicks
Taral Hicks is an actress and musician.-Career:Hicks graduated in 1993 from Grace Dodge Vocational High School in Bronx, New York....
, Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
dancehall artist Louie Rankin, R&B singer T-Boz
Tionne Watkins
Tionne Tenese Watkins better known by her stage name T-Boz, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American singer, actress, author, and executive producer who rose to fame as the lead singer and one-third of the R&B/hip-hop girl group TLC.-Early life:Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins was born in Des Moines,...
. Besides starring in the film, Nas also narrates and collaborated with Hype Williams on the screenplay.
Plot
The movie begins when Tommy (DMXDMX (rapper)
Earl Simmons , better known by his stage name DMX, is a multiplatinum American rapper and actor who rose to fame in the late 1990s. His stage name pays tribute to the Oberheim DMX drum machine, an instrument he used when he made his own rap beats in the 80's...
) and Sincere (Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
), along with fellow crew members Mark and Black, rob a nightclub. After dropping Black off, the others go to Tommy's house to hide out for a while. Their noise wakes up Keisha (Taral Hicks
Taral Hicks
Taral Hicks is an actress and musician.-Career:Hicks graduated in 1993 from Grace Dodge Vocational High School in Bronx, New York....
), Tommy's girlfriend, who is trying to sleep. Sincere says that he too is tired, and he and Mark leave soon after. Sincere returns to his house, where his wife Tionne (Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins
Tionne Watkins
Tionne Tenese Watkins better known by her stage name T-Boz, is a four-time Grammy Award–winning American singer, actress, author, and executive producer who rose to fame as the lead singer and one-third of the R&B/hip-hop girl group TLC.-Early life:Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins was born in Des Moines,...
) and baby Kenya wait. Back at Tommy's house, Tommy learns of a new, potent form of heroin that is making its way to America.
After a passionate night with their women, Tommy and Sincere meet early in the morning and Tommy tells Sincere about the new drug, and also how much money they could make if they got involved with Tommy's friend Ox, a drug lord who is receiving shipments. Reluctantly, Sincere agrees.
The duo, along with some of their friends from the neighborhood, start transporting drugs (hidden in their car bumpers) from Queens to Omaha
Omaha
Omaha may refer to:*Omaha , a Native American tribe that currently resides in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Nebraska-Places:United States* Omaha, Nebraska* Omaha, Arkansas* Omaha, Georgia* Omaha, Illinois* Omaha, Texas...
, and begin to take over the drug scene there. This is met with jealousy from a local drug dealer named Rico (Tyrin Turner
Tyrin Turner
Tyrin Turner is an American actor who has appeared in movies since 1989. Turner is best known for playing the main character, Caine "Kaydee" Lawson, in the 1993 film Menace II Society. He also has made guest appearances on television shows such as Chicago Hope and Hangin' with Mr...
), who informs the police of their activities. This results in a raid at their stash-house, in which Mark is killed and another accomplice, Knowledge is arrested. Knowledge calls back home from the local jail and is told by Keisha that Tommy isn't there, nor should he have called home since the FBI had placed wire taps on their phone. Knowledge gets angry that Tommy won't come to bail him out, and calls up Shameek (Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
), to not only infiltrate Rico's gang and to kill Rico, but to handle Tommy.
Meanwhile, Tommy goes to Jamaica with Ox, and kills the son of a drug lord there, as a favor to Ox. When the deceased's family finds out that is was Ox who ordered the hit, they send a hit squad to kill him in his home, and Ox is able to kill them all before a femme fatale
Femme fatale
A femme fatale is a mysterious and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations. She is an archetype of literature and art...
swoops down from his top floor and slits his throat.
While this is going on, Sincere has been trying to get out of the drug game and move his girlfriend and child to Africa, despite Tommy's jokes that he was getting soft for wanting to leave. They make plans to leave on New Years, 2000. However, now Sincere is suspicious of Tommy; since the Omaha incident, Tommy has been on the run and was caught in Atlanta, GA. Sincere feels that Tommy would give him up to save himself. This was not the case. Tommy was chosen by federal agents to assassinate a black Muslim leader, Rev. Saviour, (Dr. Benjamin Chavis) who had been preaching against the government.
On New Years' Eve, Tommy confronts the leader in his study before he was to make a massive speech of hope and points his gun at him. The leader convinces Tommy not to go through with his mission, even though it was betraying the government and now putting his life at risk.
At the same time, Shameek visits Keisha's home, in the hopes of finding Tommy there. Sha slaps Keisha around, but Keisha is able to grab his gun right before he was going to kill her. Instead, she turns the gun on him.
Sincere, having known everything that was going on, and surviving an attempt on his life too by his old friend Black, takes that moment to get out of New York as his family starts life over in Africa.
Reception
The film was poorly received by critics, scoring 13% on Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
. Although it was generally praised for its highly stylized "noir-like
Film noir
Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as extending from the early 1940s to the late 1950s...
" visual design and cinematography, it was criticized for what was seen as a weak plot. However, it remains much more popular with hip hop audiences, and also with dancehall reggae fans due to cameos by Jamaican entertainment personalities Mr Vegas, Sean Paul
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
, Skyjuice, Bogle
Bogle
A bogle, boggle or bogill is a British term for a ghost or folkloric being, used for a variety of related folkloric creatures including Shellycoats, Barguests, Brags, the Hedley Kow and even giants such as those associated with Cobb's Causey .The name is derived from the...
and Louie Rankin
Louie Rankin
Louie Rankin is a Jamaican dancehall reggae artist and actor.Leonard Ford was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica and grew up in Rockfort, Warika Hill and East Kingston. His most successful song was the single "Typewriter," released in 1992...
playing the part of Ox. It was re-released on DVD in November 2003 in a black package. The scene in which the Jamaican drug lord's house is raided is heavily influenced by the 1983 film, Scarface
Scarface (1983 film)
Scarface is a 1983 American epic crime drama movie directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone, produced by Martin Bregman and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana...
.
Possible sequel
In 2006, DMX mentioned that a sequel is in the works called Beast. However, a film called Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz ClubBelly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club
Belly 2: Millionaire Boyz Club is a 2006 film and the direct-to-video sequel starring The Game and Shari Headley, directed by Cess Silvera.-Plot:...
has already been released, starring rapper The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
. No one has confirmed as to whether or not that this is the true sequel to Belly.
Soundtrack
| Year | Album | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
U.S. R&B Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999... |
|||
| 1998 | Belly Belly (soundtrack) Belly is the soundtrack to the 1998 film of the same name. It was released on November 3, 1998 through Def Jam Recordings and featured production from the likes of Poke & Tone, Sean Combs and Swizz Beatz...
|
5 | 2 |
Recording Industry Association of America The Recording Industry Association of America is a trade organization that represents the recording industry distributors in the United States... : Platinum |