When it comes to authentic hip hop, ethemadassassin is certainly one of the personifications of that. Highly active, noted by his peers as a sharp shooting lyricist with powerful delivery, his catalog is vast and vivid.
“When I link with ethemadassassin, it’s always something solid. Something fresh but with the foundation of the essence of hip hop right there in every bar.” Filmmaker, Ty Brueilly says. “I’ve shot three music videos for him in the past few years and it’s inspirational to see the determination he has on perfecting and expanding his craft. So when I got the word that my work for him on ‘Pick A Side (Get Or Get Got)’ got into this year’s Hip Hop Film Festival, it was like yeah, that’s exactly where that belongs.”
Starting at the song itself, ‘Pick A Side (Get Or Get Got)’ has a haunting key sample from Stu Bangas that provides the listener with chilling thoughts, which match and blend perfectly with Brueilly’s trademark shooting style of black and white, grit and grime. We then move into what we can agree with his peers as razor sharp delivery with punchlines that may land on the first listen, or some that might hit you after a dozen repeats, the genius of ethemadassassin’s pen game is just that, it sounds effortless, but you know he extended his talent to reach these peaks.
This isn’t the first film project Brueilly has had at the Hip Hop Film Festival. His first experience with the CR Capers founded and directed event was back in 2023, where two of his own music videos were selected, as it so happened to also be the 50th anniversary of hip hop.
“I flew up there in 2023, I was on cloud nine. Being right there in the city where this culture I love and have been a part of for over two decades of my life was created was surreal. I spent that first night in Harlem for the Hip Hop Film Festival opening night and then the next day I went right to Sedgwick Ave to pay respect and reflect on the art I create and am so passionate about.” Brueilly reflects and continues, “During that opening ceremony I met the team that put the event together and really fell in love with the way that they handled everything. CR Capers has a great vision, and incredible willpower to turn her dreams into a reality. Since then I made it a point to share more of my work with them and in 2024 I went back with two more of my music videos. So this year, I felt it was time to share with them artists from the culture that I admire, trust and work with on a regular basis, and in turn they selected both ethemadassassin’s ‘Pick A Side (Get Or Get Got)’ and OC From NC/Jooselord’s ’95 Goodie Mob’ I am actually more happy about that then when my own music videos were chosen.”
The Hip Hop Film Festival takes place August 19-23, 2026 with an incredible lineup of films, events and networking.
https://www.harlemfilmhouse.org/hhff/pick-a-side-(or-get-got)