Step Off Beat Battle Movie Trailer & DVD Release

step-off-movie.jpeg

About a year back we posted the trailer for a movie entitled Battle, which was based around the story of a producer’s journey through music and beat battles. The movie has been acquired by Lionsgate, renamed Step Off, and set for a March 15th release date. According to Step Off’s producer Martin Kelly, the movie will be available on DVD through Redbox, Netflix, and more.

Updated trailer after the break!

70 thoughts on “Step Off Beat Battle Movie Trailer & DVD Release”

  2. I’m suprised this saw the light of day lol… beat at the end of the video was alright though, all 7 seconds of it.

  4. …..yawn, Im going back to sleep. I just deleted a long rant about Hollywood, HipHop culture, Violence…blah blah blah…This movie is just another capitalistic stereotype. but for the most part…”It just aint that serious, Bro Man!”………. Most beatsmiths, producers I know, are fucking gearhead nerds. We makes beats because we dont like b.s conflict, nor the scene…. This movie gets a duck face!

    #fartnoise

  5. WHEN DID BEAT BATTLES EVER HAPPEN LIKE THAT??? when did you start getting punched like that???? smh

  6. beat battles are now like 8 mile now huh? the main stream allways fu@k up a good thing.. this movie will go stright to youtube.

  7. I have been to? a lot of beat battles I’ve never seen nor experienced that shit producers are nerds not gangsters we? mostly network at venues like that

  14. WOw, this is…wow. Powerfully cheesy! Who thought this would go over well? Pretty irresponsible take on the beat showcase/battle format. Incase the creators of this “movie” see this, we are not hating. We’re offended. lol. We’re not going to like it. The only people that may be interested in it are disingenuous about hip hop production in the first place. Thanks tho…

  15. I have yet to see a movie that actually shows what it is – to be a beat maker or producer. I was a 3 year member the National Forensics League for federal policy debate during High School, and the most actual representation of that world, came from the movie “Rocket Science”. That movie centered around a stuttering teenager, who falls for a girl on the debate team and subsequently joins the team. The scenes involving debate are (just like the real H.S. debates), primarily held in a regular High School classrooms, with usually 1 judge and 4 debate participants (2 on each team, affirmative and negative, both to status quo of the year’s topic, i.e. Global Warming or WTO, etc.). The manner in which the participants act and speak is just about as accurate as one could get in regards to the subject matter. I have not seen “The Great Debaters”, but I have seen “Listen To Me” starring Kirk Cameron and Jami Gertz… That movie was about as far from the reality of college-level debate, as it could get..

    Why I bring this up is fairly simple.. You can make a movie that will be factually based and non-sensationalistic, and still end up with an entertaining and believable story in which to present to your intended audience. If the movie focuses on the real lives of the subjects involved, and what goes on around them, you would have a movie that may or may not get mainstream acceptance; However, the people who make up the community wouldn’t call B.S. as it would put them in an accurate portrayal – which is fair. The thin line that you perhaps were attempting to walk, is a razor’s edge. I do not fault you for your efforts, you created something that you clearly have shown (in your responses on boards such as this) to be a film you believe deserving of attention, and there-by viewing by both producers and the masses. That does not mean that beat makers/producers/samplists/etc. will like your film.

    I, for one, do not understand the premise that has been laid forth by the film’s trailers.. Most beat makers, as said by other posters, are “nerds” or gearheads. This is also not 100% true, as many involved in beat making aren’t stereotypes and come from all ends of the spectrum. I know that the majority of producers that *I* have encountered are humble, reserved, and dedicated individuals. I have yet to see one video where beat makers resorted to so much as even a single punch. I have seen countless videos regarding freestyle rap battles which did end with a physical altercation. Beat makers tend to be the most easy-going subset of HIP HOP. We don’t raise fists, we lay down tracks.

    I haven’t seen the movie yet, and I don’t want this be seen, even mildly, as a review of your work. It may be a thoroughly enjoyable experience, and one that stands as a point of interest for those involved in production and also the general public who may have never heard of an MPC, let alone a Linn Drum 9000 or and SP-12.

    Sincerely,
    Mike Double D

    • Okay, I’m going to try to refrain as much as possible this go ’round from the back and forth.

      I definitely am glad the comments are still coming in whether bad or good.

      However, I think there may be some misconceptions at work. Hopefully you will check it out and then flame later having viewed the whole movie.

      Thanks,

      Martin

      • I just want to know who and what is the name of that beat when the main character gets in to the iron chef beat off and he is looking at the city of atl. I say the movie and that was my favorite part. I think it is Triumph by Greg G-sharp Alston. But i am not sure.

    • By the way, my comment wasn’t specifically directed toward you Mike Double D…I apologize if it appears that way.

      Thanks,

      Martin

      • Even if it were, I have thick skin at this point. I didn’t take it personally, however. I do what I do, and whether or not anyone in the music industry or film industry respects it – it won’t make any noticeable difference to my life. In the long run, I am making tracks for one reason: I like making tracks. Once again, I don’t think that you were intending to “exploit” or somehow negatively affect anything. I actually hope that you succeeded in making a great film, and to feel otherwise would be beneath me. I have friends who contributed tracks to your film, which as far as I know – are in the movie. If those people get a little more attention as a result, then that in and of itself can be a good thing. I don’t want you or anyone else to think that I was offering up some jaded attack.

          • I think MaDDMaNN is involved, that one of his tracks made it onto the film or the soundtrack. He’s the main guy (owner, and overall one of the nicest dudes ever) on the board that I am on. I’m just one of the people on there, helping to keep it free of spammers who try to infiltrate. I also put up my tracks on there on the regular. A lot of people from there are checking out cratekings on the daily, no doubt, and I am for sure. Respect to Semantik, and all the people who run blogs and boards like this!

            Mike Double D

          • Mike Double D,

            Yeah, MaDDMaNN is definitely represented with I think 2 tracks in the movie.

            Cool. And definitely Nuff Respect to Semantik!

            -M

  17. Okay,we already wen through this the first time the trailer was put up. At least Martay is giving the producer some shine. All of you so-called elitist, hip hop puritists need ot shut the fuck up. At least give it a chance. This is the reason that good music doesn`t get the shine it should other than mainstream ignorance. We alyways want ot keep something to ourselves like we are always on to the next great thing,but we just come out looking like fools. I`m not saying this will be the best movie,but it is one story that is trying to identify with our artform. You guys wanna cry about capitalizing off of hip hop when people besides you are doing it everyday without you saying or doing anything about it,so why start now when he`s trying to big up this artform. SMDH

    • its not that we want to keep it to ourselves but misinformation and exploitation is what we don’t want. That is what is gonna happen in this movie. Nothing i have seen in this trailer has EVER happened to real beat battle producers. EVER….ever ever? EVER EVER!!!

      • But then again,we all have not been to all the beatbattles in the world. Yeah,the ones I`ve been to have been half-exciting,or half -assed ,but look beyond that and try to look at the big picture. We are already misunderstood. A lot of the musical community doesn`t look at us as musicians,they look at us as thieves who take the easy way to make a so-called trend,even though that`s not the truth. This movie might be able to change at least one non-believer`s mind, and that would be a great thing. Don`t look at the exploitation of it,because a lot of what we see in the media,even the stuff we think that`s dope,is already exploiting without a real purpsoe.At least this movie serves one whether you think it does or not.

    • DJ Ill One,

      Thanks for the comment…and I will try to keep out of the way of everyone’s comments because I do welcome the feedback. The funny thing is that until I did movies about Hip-Hop (including the documentary “Beat Makers”), I used to consider myself an elitist Hip-Hop purist. You couldn’t catch me NOT complaining about commercialization, etc. Yet, I wanted to get a deal, make a record, tour, etc. I realized later how I was trying to have it both ways. So, maybe its a little karma that I catch a lot of ill will in the exact place I felt I’d find welcoming? I mean, I used to fight to get Hip-Hop recognized as legitimate art and music, and now I get taken to task for trying to show it to more folks. Believe me, I understand the impulse…but even if I had bad intentions with the movie, it wouldn’t hurt anybody who’s true to their art.

      Again, I apologize, I feel like I’m intruding, so I will attempt to restrain myself as much as possible (my producing partners will be happy if I can since they say I stress too much about it).

      Take it easy and thanks for the comments, everyone.

      Martin Kelley
      Producer, “Step Off”

  18. to me i look at it as just a movie… yes there may be a a kid who will or will not be inspired to become a beatmaker after watching this movie. i will still be doing my thing even when its not the cool thing to do anymore.

  19. Way to rep Hip Hop in it’s present “form”. I have yet to see your movie but Applaud your,Ambition as a Writer/Producer /Hip Hop enthusiast. Seeing just a few seconds is never enough to judge the whole movie. I wish nothing but the best for you & your team Peace!

  20. I would like to see the movie regardless. Good or bad, it is already a better movie than The Day After Tomorrow. TDAT was without any doubt, the worst movie, that I have ever seen. You’d have to try real hard to make something worse than that. It has to be better than that, at least.

    The cover confuses me though, why did you use turntables for a movie about beat makers? Was it a legal issue, or something else? I know that especially in the case of book covers, a publishing company will hire someone to do cover art that has never even read the book. The main character is using an MPC in the movie, right? Why not use that instead of turntables?

    Anyone can agree or disagree, but if I am asked what HIP HOP is.. my answer will be:
    1. Break dancing
    2. Rapping
    3. Graffiti art
    4. DJing
    5. Beatboxing
    6. Street fashion
    7. Street Language
    8. Street Knowledge
    9. Street Entrepreneurialism
    10. Beat making

  21. I’m sorry but this looks terrible.

    Super cheesy…Whats the deal with the album cover, why does the character have to be all mysterious looking and yeah whats the deal with the turn tables

    an MPC would have been a better choice or even a Kazoo.

  22. OH yeah forgot to mention trailer has the same plots as

    8 mile (as mentioned)
    Juice
    50 cents fake movie about his life whatever it was called.
    and girls just wanna have fun.

  23. They say as long as people are talking about your product its a good thing but…Call me naive but if every mention of your product is met with WAVES AND WAVES of negative comments or indifferent ones at best, perhaps that is an indication of a pretty uniform pre-concieved notion. That simply means 1 of 2 things. This movie is going to come out and shock everybody by being an earnest and entertaining movie about hip hop beat making. Will earn tons of viewers and turn skeptics into diehard fans who champion the movie at every opportunity, OR, is a bad idea and actually is what skeptics predicted, and will only serve to annoy people who take hiphop production seriously and would like others to also.

  24. Okay, earnestly trying to hold my tongue (or fingers).

    The cover is the distributors take on the material. And yes it is off. Turntables instead of MPC (although, turntables do appear in the movie). I think they worry that a general audience doesn’t know what an MPC is and does know what turntables are…that’s my guess. As for the name change, similar scenario, they pick a term that “sounds” like a movie one would associate with Hip-Hop (to be honest, they probably don’t say Hip-Hop in their discussions…probably call it “Rap Culture” or something).

    And I’m sure a Kazoo would have been clowned too.

    Thanks

    Martin

    • @Martay,

      You mention “they”…From your above post about being a hip hop purist and things of that nature, would it be safe to say you “SOLD out” to get your movie out to the “mainstream”?

      If it’s your artistic vision and you hold it in high regard why would you allow or be down with “them” switching turntables in? or switching the name? or switching anything? You sold out to put out some cornball stuff instead of the real deal. Sure mainstream will do what it with it but overall you would have gained more respect (although smaller number) by your peers by keeping it 100 / official.
      Just sayin…As I did a year ago. Do you want your movie to be a classic that extends the test of time (change the game) or that flash in the pan for the moment ( put on by corporate execs that have no idea of hip hop culture, let alone the essence of beatmaking)
      Off my soap box …Yall can continue on.
      `hEiR

      • Heir,

        Again, I don’t want to be as active so as to inhibit debate. However, I was getting the same flack when it was called “Battle” and had an MPC in the poster so I don’t see any difference in the “respect” category you mention. In fact, the 100% Official movie we did got dissed by the same crowd for having “nobodies” in it and folks who “ain’t hot” or whatever. So, excuse me if I find the peers you speak of a bit finicky and disingenuous with their treatment of the movies I’ve made on the subject.

        It is not a matter of being down for it. When a film company acquires a title, they have the freedom to market it the way they see fit. That’s a reality.

        I don’t like that the title was changed but it’s part of the business of making movies and I’m an indie filmmaker without the upper hand to dictate to Lionsgate how they present it to the general public.

        Sell out? I think that’s strong but I’m not going to convince anyone with a post. So, there it is.

        -Martay

  25. We did a radio Interview last night (we being myself, Co-writer/Producer Eddie Singleton, Producer Bennie Swint, and Director Laron Austin, plus later lead actress Onira Tares) on VVCradio.com and our interview starts at around 52minutes into the broadcast.

    http://www.top20takeover.vvcradio.com/?p=243

    In case anyone wanted to hear about the title change, and more.

    -Martin

  26. I saw this documentary last night called “this film is not yet rated.” In it they explain how hard it is to get ratings(R PG13 et) on films by the MPAA and how difficult it is to get the product out without the “Big cheese heads” cutting down your flick or changing it I appologise for cracking jokes about your film. I probably won’t watch it but wish you success.

  27. Yeah it’s just to me I believe title is important and visual posters and other media is important in order for a flick to appeal to folks. Step off just sounds like arrogant and pretty much a joke of a title. I’m sure whoever chose it knows little about the culture but know they can make money out of it(hip hop).

  28. I’m BUYING it (at Walmart, Best Buy, or wherever) when it comes out, on Tuesday the 15th. I saw “Beat Makers” and I did enjoy it, for the fact that it sheds some light on people who are often not known well by the mainstream. Not that anyone in beat making is “needing” or wanting mainstream attention, nothing like that. Just more along the lines of, people outside of the realm don’t understand that beat makers are very serious about what we do. Letting people see and recognize the work, on both sides of the equation, is an important thing to occur. For every Pete Rock or Primo and the like, there’s 100 that may or may not even survive, let alone thrive – due to nobody showing love and frankly, giving a damn. If this movie ends up inspiring even 1 person to take up the torch and start running; Then, you have succeeded in my eyes. Bring a hundred new beat makers or producers into this world, and we’ll really be on another level. I know that many may disagree, and think that the market is flooded now. I don’t think that’s going to be the case in the end. I believe that we need MORE people involved, not less. Competition and cooperation is going to do more to revitalize all of HIP HOP than leaving it in the hands/hearts/minds of a few. HIP HOP depends on new blood, new ideas, and new visionary people to see itself remain relevant (NO disrespect to the classics, who have made timeless works already). If this film makes one person, that already makes tracks, take those 1000 more steps toward their own path coming to a positive end and NOT want to just give up.

    The 10th element of HIP HOP *IS* ANY BEAT MAKER carrying on tradition, not just myself. I’m no longer putting “Sincerely”, I’m claiming my spot on the list in this life-time, feel free to do the same if you see it like I do.

    The 10th element,
    Mike Double D

  29. My problem with it is the image that it portrays. I’ve been in a beat battles everyone was positive and never been dissed or punched everyone is there to network most good producers are friends and share info with each other that’s the whole point of producing this looks like is borderline 8 mile I don’t like when things are portrayed in the wrong light gives people who dont know better the wrong impression

  30. some stuff for lions gate to think about:

    Its called “Step off” not to be confused with “Step up” which was a movie about a dance battle not to be confused with “You got served” which was also about a dance battle, but this movie “step off” is from the producers of “You got served” (I know this because this is proudly advertised on the cover of the movie). kinda confusing, possibly misleading

  31. I don’t understand why everyone hopped on the bitching train, the movie looks like hard work to me. If there’s something to even complain about it would be that it looks a little cheesy mostly cause of the actors. I won’t judge a trailer tho. MUCH rather watch this movie of something that i love than something i dont.
    Come on, it’s a movie, it needs some kind of drama in the plot for people in general and distributiors to accept it. Producers are NOT only complete nerds, sure beatmakers and djs are probably the nerdiest, but it’s not like hiphop never was around hostile environments where a fight or two is prone to happen. Whats that.
    Show the man some respect, i’m getting it and hopefully Martin keeps his passion going.

    • “Come on, it’s a movie, it needs some kind of drama in the plot for people in general and distributiors to accept it. ”

      Exactly!

      And people hate just to hate, because it’s easier, takes less work and is the popular thing to do. While at the same time, they run off to buy the latest so-called “hip-hop” being forced down their throats by radio/tv.

  32. Actually, the movie looks good and I am very anxious to see it. I sit here and look at many people’s comments and many of them are filled with hate and negativity. Firstly, how do you judge something that you have never even seen? Take time to actually view the movie before you take time to write an essay about how much you *ASSUME* it’s going to suck. (That is a REAL waste of time, btw). Another thing is it seems everyone is so concerned with the fact it seems “commercialized”, and are assuming it doesn’t pertain to “actual” producers who you are all noting as “nerds”. Firstly, I beg to differ… I do actually know producers who have gang banged and are in fact gangster. (And, absolutely ANYONE can get robbed, believe me.) And, they are very talented producers (one has produced for Rick Ross, Bohagen, The Outlawz, Keke Wyatt, Tony Yayo and many more)… and yes they are successful and yet they have a hard past. How can you actually DARE sit up there and say that this storyline will not relate to *ANY* producer out there in the whole entire world? That’s not only ignorant, it’s bias and has no real thought behind it. Stop judging so much and open your minds a bit, you will be surprised. Think outside the box instead of trying to put everyone in the same one.

    This exact HATE and negative attitude towards the movie and its director (before you’ve all seen it, btw) is the REAL problem in hip hop… not the kind of music or film a person makes, it’s the negative attitudes that kill the true spirit and essence of hip hop. Congradulate, don’t hate… here we have an intelligent, talented brother putting together a movie to help continue & inspire producers around the world and all you can do is try to knock the process without any real reason. You cannot say it is your honest opinion because none of you have seen the film. Spare your insults until you have actually seen the movie, and don’t just give back hate… share constructive criticism on how the movie could have been better. Or, I got one even better…. make a movie your damn selves… and see how well you can pull it off since you all know so much about what is “needed” in the media. Smh… Good luck Martin with the movie, I can sit here and say I look forward to seeing the film and I wish you the best of success! Peace…

    Nina

    • Are you Martay’s sister, mother, aunt, wife, cousin, girlfriend, and/or roommate? If not you may be a little too emotionally invested in this trailer.

    • I was worried this forum was filled with kids and youtube haters that got bored posting “Epic Fail” with a macro key…

      Nina, I think you explained it perfectly!

      “btw) is the REAL problem in hip hop… not the kind of music or film a person makes, it’s the negative attitudes that kill the true spirit and essence of hip hop. Congradulate, don’t hate… ”

      But hey, it’s easy to hate.

  33. you know those chills of embarrassment you get when your like embarrassed for somebody. Like if you watch amateur hour at the apollo or some kind of talent show. I got chills of embarrassment watching this trailer. not a good sign

  34. nina are you fucking kidding me… like honestly you might be retarded

    lol at you telling people to not judge something they havent seen right after you say it looks really good, yet you havent seen it either. movie looks shitty plain and simple.

    and really, constructive criticism for how it could’ve been better? what’s he going to do, go back and ask Lionsgate for more money so he can reshoot the whole damn thing with a few improvements and rerelease it? LOL

    sorry not everyone has a hard on for this movie like you do. oh wait no im not

  36. I watched it,not bad. Some of the beats palyed in the background were nice. Good points were made in this movie about sampling that I believe a lot of producers need to hear. Overall, not a bad movie. Good work

  39. It was ok Not as bad as some are making it out to be They’re not hollywood probably some small company just tyring to make it I suggested it to a few people Would actually add to my dvd collection just for the poetry reading

  40. Peggy,

    Thanks for checking it out. Yes, we’re not hollywood. That is correct.

    It’s an independent movie out of ATL.

    -Martay
    Producer, “Step Off”

  42. I have produced many hip hop beats with the real mpc6011. This movie will open many eyes on how to sample. That is an art form itself. This movie quality could be better but it gets the point across. We need to have open minds on artist being creative . I like that the final four had to produce beats live on stage, that was a great idea completed different. This reminds of the old school a DJ and his Rapper. I use computers today like everybody else but lets not forget the real art of making music, like making beats with you hands and ears.

  43. Not a good movie, the story, the acting, the lighting was dark. The fighting is stereotypical, noone does this at a beat battle…maybe they should try again it could be good

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