Friday is a hood classic turned pop culture film that had people tripping when it was released in 1998. Our introduction to Smokey (Chris Tucker) had us wanting more. Everybody

seemed to know a "Smokey" in their hood. He was real life, comic relief and remains an iconic memorable character to this day.

Paid in Full was released in 2002 and was an ode to dope boys in Harlem. Though the dope boy narrative always ends tragically, the film was instantly a classic,

showcasing the talents of Mekhi Phifer, Wood Harris, Regina Hall, and surprisingly Cam’Ron. Def a movie that never gets old.

Remember Martin’s ode to New Jack City when he thought someone in his crew stole his CD player? He had the whole Nino Brown get up on with a stuffed

Rottweiler by his side.

New Jack City was released in 1991 and told the tale of Nino Brown’s rise to the top of the drug game and a couple of

narcs’ who were determined to bring him and his drug posse down. When this flick came out...it stopped us all in our tracks! Have many times have you seen it?

Juice was our first look into seeing just how bomb Pac’s acting skills were. He showed us a look into a passionate though power-driven Bishop, who tried to convince Q

and the rest of the crew that the robbery of a convenience store would be their ultimate come-up.

Jason’s lyric was the love story that we had been craving. Jason’s (Allen Payne) entire life was changed when he met a young Lyric (Jada Pinkett Smith) who helped him

heal from the trauma that he experienced as a youngin in which he accidentally killed his father. #Powerful

Boyz n the Hood was John Singleton’s directorial debut in which he showcased a cautionary tale of gang violence in South Central, LA. The impact of Ricky’s death was the

tragic marker that effected audiences all over. Remember how it hit you like a ton of bricks???

Menace II Society tells of a young black kid who has dreams outside the hood, but gets caught up in the cycle of violence and revenge that all too soon

put an end to his very own life. It starred Tyrin Turner, Larenz Tate, Jada Pinkett Smith and more. These characters showed us just how hard the struggle is and how

getting out the hood is never easy.

South Central was released in 1992 and followed Bobby (Glenn Plummer), a Deuces gang member, who after being released from prison finds that his son is following in his own

footsteps.

Once again, this theme of violence occurring in cycles is evident through this dope hood classic.

Fun fact: Academy Award winning filmmaker Oliver Stone produced this one, which no doubt

contributed to its depth.

Owweee!!! This film was everything when it came out! Remember!! Director Antoine Fuqua took us all for a ride with corrupt vet LAPD narc Alonzo (Denzel Washington) and the rookie

Jake (Ethan Hawke) he attempted to manipulate into taking the fall for his own dirty work. The blurred lines had us tripping for real, but this is always a joint

that we’ll forever keep on replay.

Denzel Washington won an Academy Award for best actor for his role in this flick. Well deserved.

Baby Boy was another John Singleton joint that took the concept of metaphors to a completely different level. His portrayal of Jody (Tyrese Gibson) and all his little boy tendencies

as he flip flops back and forth between his two baby mamas was spot on and relevant. 

Baby Boy is a story that had never been told the way Singleton

was able to articulate it. Much like his previous work, Singleton foreshadowed the tragedy that could ensue if Jody didn’t get his sh*t together. When his mama's boyfriend Mel (Ving

Rhames) snatched him up to show him he wasn't the one....dayum!!! #LifeLessons