Runnin’ With The Roc: 8 Billion Lives With Young Chris
TV/Movies By Devin Chanda on November 22, 2009 at 4:59 pm“You chop the head, the body fall. Basically, that’s what happened with Roc-A-Fella.”
With all the recent developments in the Beans Vs. Jay saga, the Roc-A-Fella chain — a symbol of crew love among certified black gangsters — has been rendered a relic of times past. One of the select few who had the honor of Roc’in it was Christopher “Young Chris” Ries, a talented young buck who you could almost envision as the post or the point in the dynasty’s second wave. Unfortunately, as a result of the Roc’s first fissure, that remains merely a pipe dream with the family members seemingly now gone their separate ways.
This past summer, I, along with a group of talented filmmakers (Sam Heesen, Bayan Mogharabi, and Eric Swiecinski), had the opportunity to see what Chris has been up to since the split, beyond the mixtapes and assorted Loosies. Documenting a day-in-the-life, our film is part of a greater project entitled “8 Billion Lives,” involving many more filmmakers chronicling individuals across a broad spectrum of careers and life pursuits.
With intimate access granted by the former Young Gunz emcee in his native North Philly, we were also given a glimpse of the city of Brotherly Love, one of this country’s most historic cities. However, it’s also one caught up in the struggle, much like the rest of this country. We can only hope that this project stands as both a portrait of city and one of its amazing representatives, telling stories that more or less ought to be told.
For future updates on the “8 Billion Lives” film project, bookmark www.8billionlives.com.
Posted in TV/Movies, Videos — Tags: 8 Billion Lives, Rocafella Records, VIDEO, Young Chris, Young Gunz
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25 Comments
Damn good look, D.
I think that Chris has the drive to get what he wants out of this game, more so than anybody else from the R.O.C. breakup (that isn’t Jay).
I liked how this was filmed… keeping my eyes on 8 Billion Lives.
Thanks for putting me on to this. Good stuff.
And he rides off in the Flying Spur at the end. Wonder if it was another “gift” from Biggs?
“gift”
I dont even wanna know what that means.
But Chris has always been my dude. But the lane he’s going right now won’t lead him to anywhere. The fact that people for the most part know that he can spit and dont seemingly care, is a clear indication that “spitting more” is not going to get you there. He needs to attach one of his 16s to some mediocre R&B cats song grind on that level and solidify himself as a solid B rated rapper and build from there.
Or go fuck with Damon. I get the feeling he’s prolly more loyal to Jay but Dame is where it’s at right now it seems.
And for the record, J. Cole ain’t nuthin’ but a lame, soft, whatever version of Chris
Dev, this is good…no, great stuff man. I am definitely going to keep up with this project. Has the potential to be some powerful stuff.
Love the look of this vid.
Definite step up from that raggety ass shot-in-the-garage-by-my-homeboy jawn.
Glad to hear he’s still holdin it down in philly. I’m pullin for him
This is a dope video… I wish more artists did stuff like this.
the Myspace shirt is a little dated, but this is pretty fresh overall.
can we expect more of these?
Alright, I have a better opinion @Philly’s quality now.
After the phils dropped it to the yanks I woulda thought nothing woulda helped me.
This helps. A bit.
Thanks for the love y’all. This film is the extent of our involvement with 8 Billion Lives, but yeah, there’s some other dope documentaries there.
Watching Chris at work was dope. I’ve been in the studio with a few cats who try the off the dome thing, but that just slows the process down. With Chris, homey just cued it up and spit. We drove around the corner to McDonalds and he cut an entire track while we were gone.
^ Damn. lol
And for the record, J. Cole ain’t nuthin’ but a lame, soft, whatever version of Chris
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Honestly,… was that necessary? lol
Howser, It’s all connected, lol.
Dude’s nice but boring.
sounds like a REALLY dope project
I am not hating but you HAD to see Mrs. Beats throw them horns.
Just finished watching it – I want to see more shit like this, for sure. I’ve always wondered what kind of lives dudes like this lead off-mic. Super refreshing take on hip-hop.
TSS is major for posting the shit like this.
I’m glad people like this. Shit’s “the other side of the game” that rappers don’t give you access to in their videos and not too often in their rhymes.
Props to Chris for keeping it honest.
Props to 8 Mil for the camera work.
Best believe Chris is still rockin that Roc chain. I saw him back in April wearing it.
Money is the sinews of war
&
beanie sigel chooses to jump in the warship
ps: after 50 Cent x Robert Greene’s the 50th Law
let we read, The art of war by Beanie sigel
gunner been nice , way better than a host of other fools i think beans should have used his model just grind until u shine he and freeway aint worried about jay they just getting money cant wait to hear that pain music
can somebody answers this
didn’t Jayz destroy Rocafella to build ROC NATION? I mean with new artists more marketable?
Where’s Uncle Murda? Jadakiss? I mean it look like there’s no promo behind them niggaz! Uncle recently drop a song where he said that he didn’t give a fuck bout Jayz statement! Tru Life is in jail, …
What is this old nigga doing?
hope u’ll visit my design portfolio at coroflot.com/adogbeh
Peace.
Seems like to me Chris is turning a blind eye to alot of the BS that went on inside the Roc-a-Fella camp, he just pushin, what he needs to do is take some of that raw talent he has for spittin and go bar for bar with some of these overated cats (Drake)and crew up and get re-aqainted with some of hip hops elite put his face as well as his talent back on the scene