If you happened to miss last month’s screening of the Nomadic Wax documentary, “Democracy in Dakar,” you’re in luck. There is a surprise screening of “Democracy in Dakar” tonight at 7pm, at the Maysles Theater in Harlem.

Democracy in Dakar
Magee, McIlvaine, Chris Moore, Ben Herson 2008, 69 min.
Democracy in Dakar is a groundbreaking documentary film about hip-hop youth and politics in Dakar Senegal. The film follows rappers, DJs, journalists, professors and people on the street at the time before during and after the controversial 2007 presidential election in Senegal and examines hip-hop’s role on the political process. Originally shot as a seven part documentary mini-series released via the internet – the documentary bridges the gap between hip-hop activism, video journalism and documentary film and explores the role of youth and musical activism on the political process.

Peep the trailer: Democracy in Dakar Trailer from Nomadic Wax.

Democracy in Dakar Trailer from Nomadic Wax on Vimeo.

Most of you remember MC Hammer for  his courageous contributions to the world of music with epic ballads such as ” Can’t Touch This”  and ” Too Legit”  and a lasting impression on 90s fashion.

Yet his rise to fame  was subsequently followed by his rapid  financial plummet into bankruptcy. The last time most of us heard of Hammer, it was at the end of a punchline. But now we get to welcome MC ( Stanley Kirk Burrell by his government name) and his family back into our homes on a weekly basis.

In the premiere we see a near 50 year old Hammer cleaning his house, working out with his personal trainer Wee- Wee  and participating in Take Your Dad to School Day. He’s pretty much a bible short and a blunt shy from being Runs House or Snoop’s Fatherhood. This bares the question, when did there become a market for  aging rappers on reality TV?

Whats next?
Chuck D’s Philosophy Corner?
KRS One’s Take Too! ?

Its bad enough that Dr. Dre is now practicing on Dr. Pepper commercials, and Memphis Bleek selling shampoo.

I understand that sometimes television is the last stop for many entertainers on the 3:10 to Chapter 11, but where does bad plot lines preface hot beats? Like many other reality television aficionados I look forward to watching as the MC hammers his way back into obscurity. I am positive  it wont belong before we are begging the network to
Stop, Hammertime.