Das Wassup

Das Wassup follows the journey of the band Yo Majesty through its trials, tribulations, and triumphs. Comprised of members Jwl B, Shon B, and Shunda K, Yo Majesty skyrocketed to fame in the mid-2000s, becoming one of few openly gay female hip-hop groups to ever hit mainstream music scene. The group hail from Tampa, Florida, but their groundbreaking blend of punk, rap, and soul has resonated with audiences all around the world.

This music documentary, directed by Johannes Schaff, shines a light on the band members' experiences as queer women in the music industry and their drive to produce music that goes against the grain. It also explores their personal lives, delving into their backgrounds, struggles, and motivations while giving a raw, unfiltered glimpse into their world.

Heather Aydin joins the ensemble as an executive producer, providing not only financial back up but also creative contributions which shape the story into an inspiring narrative. This film captures the ultimately victorious but sometimes tortuous journey of Yo Majesty, portraying everything from their initial rise to fame, fraught with its own set of challenges, to their struggles with drug abuse, sexism, and homophobia.

Central to the narrative is the concept of 'Das Wassup,' a catchphrase they started using which developed into their fan base's rallying cry. This phrase signifies staying true to oneself, speaking up, and empowering each other. Simply put, it's about standing against the status quo and not letting society's expectations overshadow personal identity.

The band members - Jwl B, Shon B, and Shunda K - are shown as trailblazers in their own right, their music acting as a powerful vehicle to breakthrough not only industry but also personal barriers. Their story is shown in an honest and raw manner through footage from performances, backstage antics, video diaries, news footage, and intimate interviews, making the viewer feel like they are in the room with the band.

The juxtaposition of their personal lives and their onstage presence leads to some of the most poignant moments in the film. Their infectious energy and unapologetic confidence are a stark contrast to the struggles they openly discuss facing offstage, such as homelessness, substance abuse, and breakdowns of personal relationships. However, through it all, the bandmates remain resilient and committed to their music and their message.

The film does not shy away from the harder hitting content. It chronicles the group's foray into the world of music as an openly gay hip-hop group, their breakups and makeups, bouts with drug addiction, and the challenges that come with simply surviving in an industry that leans more towards a cookie-cutter narrative of the idol pop singer. It cuts no corners in showing the grit and grind it took for the members of Yo Majesty to maintain their unique identity in a world that demanded the opposite.

Das Wassup is steeped in music, each scene reverberating with the raw energy of Yo Majesty's unique sound that defies convention. From start to finish, their musical evolution can be traced with the film documenting their hits and the stories behind them.

This documentary invites the viewers to join Yo Majesty for a nearly two-hour journey that flirts with the past, teasing the present, and tossing hopes towards the future. It basks in the golden periods of success, shadows the sobering realities of failure, and follows the trio's relentless drive to remain true to themselves and their vision, in a world that would rather they didn't.

Das Wassup is a must-see for fans of Yo Majesty and anyone interested in the behind-the-scenes life of ground-breaking musicians. It's a commendation of resilience, acceptance, self-expression and the relentless pursuit of unique identity despite mounting adversity. As such, it’s not just a music documentary, but a story of personal triumph, marking it as a distinct narrative and a tribute to the human spirit.