The Great Hip Hop Hoax

| 2013

Directed by: Jeanie Finlay

Main Plot

"The Great Hip Hop Hoax," directed by Jeanie Finlay, is a documentary that delves into the lives of two Scottish rappers who reinvent themselves as American hip hop artists after being rejected by the British music industry. The film follows their journey as they adopt new identities, complete with American accents and fabricated backstories, in an elaborate ruse to achieve fame and success. Their deception leads to a whirlwind of opportunities, including a record deal and media appearances, but also brings about personal and professional challenges. The documentary explores themes of identity, ambition, and the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their dreams, ultimately questioning the authenticity and pressures of the music industry.

Characters

  • Gavin Bain is a Scottish rapper who, along with Billy Boyd, fakes an American identity to secure a record deal, exposing the music industry's superficiality.
  • Billy Boyd plays Gavin Bain, one of the Scottish rappers who fakes an American identity to achieve success in the music industry.

Ending Explained

"The Great Hip Hop Hoax," directed by Jeanie Finlay, concludes with the unraveling of the elaborate deception orchestrated by Scottish rappers Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd. The duo, who had assumed the fake identities of American rappers Silibil n' Brains to escape the ridicule of their Scottish accents, ultimately face the unsustainable nature of their lie. As their fabricated personas gain traction in the music industry, the pressure to maintain their falsehood mounts, leading to personal and professional strain. The climax reveals the breaking point when their deceit is exposed, resulting in the collapse of their music career and the end of their friendship. The film closes by reflecting on the consequences of their actions, highlighting the emotional toll and the loss of authenticity. Bain and Boyd's story serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of living a lie and the importance of staying true to oneself, leaving viewers with a poignant message about identity and the cost of deception.

Jeanie Finlay Documentary Comedy Music Gavin Bain Billy Boyd