Phat Beach (1996)

"Phat Beach" (1996) is a comedy directed by Doug Ellin. Ellin also co-wrote the film with Cleveland O'Neal III, Brian E. O'Neal, and Ben Morris, which stars Jermaine Hopkins and Brian Hooks, featuring Coolio with a cameo appearance. The movie was successful at the box office, grossing over $1.3 million on a $100,000 budget. The film's soundtrack was primarily hip-hop and R&B, reaching number 40 on the Top R&B Albums chart. Producers marketed the film as the first hip-hop beach movie; it may be the only one ever, considering how one defines a hip-hop beach movie.

Director: Doug Ellin
Writers: Cleveland O'Neal III, Brian E. O'Neal, Ben Morris, Doug Ellin

Starring Jermaine Hopkins, Brian Hooks, Coolio, Claudia Kaleem, Alma Collins, Eric Fleeks, Candice Merideth, Sabrina De Pina, Jennifer Lucienne, Gregg Vance, Tom Lister Jr.

Storyline
Benny King (Jermaine Hopkins) is a self-conscious individual who struggles to gain respect from his family. His friend Durrel Jackson (Brian Hooks) is a fast-talking suave who can't help but focus on chasing women. When King's parents leave for vacation, Durrel convinces King to quit his summer job and head to the beach. However, King is infatuated with the sultry and curvaceous Candace (Claudia Kaleem) as he daydreams about them together. His pursuit of Claudia blinds him to another girl who is genuinely interested in him.

Clockers (1995)

"Clockers" (1995) is a crime drama directed by Spike Lee, who co-wrote the film with Richard Price, which they based on Price's novel under the same title. The movie features an outstanding cast, including Mekhi Phifer, Harvey Keitel, Keith David, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, Regina Taylor, and Thomas Jefferson Byrd. The film also has a great soundtrack that peaked at #54 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. 

Spike Lee produced several classic movies before '95, but "Clockers" is an underrated gem by the director. And it's understandable when notable films like "School Daze," "Do the Right Thing," "Mo' Better Blues," "Malcolm X," and "Crooklyn" existed earlier. However, "Clockers" shows Lee's versatility as a filmmaker, and the cast delivered an exceptional performance. I highly recommend this film for the viewing. 

Director: Spike Lee

Writer: Richard Price, Spike Lee

Starring Mekhi Phifer, Harvey Keitel, Keith David, John Turturro, Delroy Lindo, Isaiah Washington, Regina Taylor, Thomas Jefferson Byrd, Peewee Love, Sticky Fingaz, Fredro Starr, Elvis Nolasco, Lawrence B. Adisa, Hassan Johnson, Frances Foster, Michael Imperioli, Lisa Arrindell, Paul Calderon, Brendan Kelly, Mike Starr, Graham Brown, Steve White, Spike Lee

Storyline

A "clocker" is a 24-hour drug dealer, and Strike (Mekhi Phifer) is the hardest-working one on the streets. But for Strike, time is running out. When the local drug kingpin tips Strike off about an opportunity for advancement, a rival dealer ends up dead, and Strike suddenly finds himself caught between two homicide detectives. One is Mazilli (John Turturro), who's only looking for an easy bust. The other is Rocco (Harvey Keitel), who's looking for something much more challenging to find—the truth—and when Strike's law-abiding brother confesses to the murder, Rocco vows not to rest until he's sure the real shooter is behind bars.