Danny Hoch

Last updated

Danny Hoch
Danny Hoch.jpg
Hoch on the set of His & Hers in 1998
Born (1970-11-23) November 23, 1970 (age 53)
Occupation(s)Actor, writer, director, performance artist
Years active1993–present

Daniel Hoch (born November 23, 1970) is an American actor, writer, director and performance artist. He has acted in larger roles in independent and art house movies and had a few small roles in mainstream Hollywood films, with increasing exposure as in 2007's We Own the Night . He is also known for his one man shows.

Contents

Theatre

Two of his three one-man-shows, Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop and Some People, were published together in 1998. In both pieces he explores the multi-cultural (and multi-lingual) New York he grew up in, providing adept monologues in the languages of the people, Cuban Spanish, Dominican Spanish or Nuyorican, Jamaican Patois or Trinidadian English.

A prevailing theme in Hoch's work, within its spectrum of unification and deep similarities under superficial differences, is the power of hip hop. Naive or street-wise white youth believing or dreaming that they are black, African-American kids dreaming of making it as a rapper, a Cuban street vendor's love of Snoop Dogg.

Some People followed his first endeavor, Pot Melting, and was broadcast on HBO in the mid-1990s, which granted Hoch more national exposure, allowing him to tour more cities to greater crowds. Hoch founded the Hip-Hop Theater Festival in 2000. Together, his three plays have won many awards, including two Obie Awards, a Sundance Writers Fellowship and the CalArts' Alpert Awards in the Arts in Theatre. In 2010 he won a Fellow award granted by United States Artists. [1]

In 2008 Hoch's solo show Taking Over addresses the issue of social imbalance as viewed by people who are pushed out by gentrification in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. [2]

In late 2011 to early 2012, Hoch appeared in Ethan Coen's one-act play "Talking Cure" presented as part of Relatively Speaking.

Appearances in other media

Like the subject of most of Hoch's monologues, his writings often examine topics in hip hop, race and class and he has been published in The Village Voice , The New York Times , Harper's , and The Nation .

He has been featured on HBO's Def Poetry Jam , in addition to his Some People being broadcast on that station. The film version of Hoch's Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop was released in 2000.

Hoch was cast in a guest role on a 1995 episode of Seinfeld , (season seven, "The Pool Guy"), but he objected to what he felt was ethnic stereotyping in the way his Hispanic character was written and tried to convince Jerry Seinfeld to change things. Hoch was eventually re-cast with another actor. [3]

Hoch appeared in Spike Lee's film Bamboozled as Timmi Hilnigger, a parody of Tommy Hilfiger who proudly sells overpriced designer clothing to African-Americans, claiming, "We keep it so real, we even give you the bullet holes" and advising viewers to "stay broke, never get out of the ghetto, and continue to contribute to my multi-million dollar corporation."

He is also known for writing Whiteboyz , a limited-released 1999 film directed by Marc Levin in which Hoch also stars with Mark Webber and Dash Mihok as three white Iowa teenagers who long for a gangsta rap life. The film also stars Piper Perabo and Eugene Byrd and rappers as luminous as Snoop Doggy Dogg, Big Pun, Fat Joe, dead prez, Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh.

Hoch appeared on Robert Small's MTV Unplugged spoken word series.

Personal life

Hoch, who is Jewish, [4] [5] grew up in Queens, New York.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1996Sureshot
1997 Subway Stories Edward (segment "Honey-Getter") Made-for-television movie
1997 His and Hers Lenny
1998 The Thin Red Line Pvt. Hugo CarniDirected by Terrence Malick
1999 Whiteboyz FlipAlso writer
2000Jails, Hospitals, & Hip-HopWriter, Director
2000 Bamboozled Timmi HillniggerDirected by Spike Lee
2001 Black Hawk Down SPC Dominick PillaDirected by Ridley Scott
2001 Prison Song Harris
2001 3 A.M. Father
2002 Washington Heights MickeyAward-winning independent film [6]
2003 American Splendor MartyAlso starring Paul Giamatti
2003 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit KrackerTelevision series; episode Soulless
2003 The Other Shoe Abraham
2003–2004 Def Poetry Jam Himself2 episodes
2005 War of the Worlds CopDirected by Steven Spielberg
2005 Bam Bam and Celeste Neo-Nazi
2006Wyclef Jean in AmericaTelevision series; writer
2007 We Own the Night Louis "Jumbo" Falsetti
2007 Lucky You Bobby Basketball
2007 Blackbird Pinchback
2009 Taking Chance TSA Agent
2010 Blue Bloods Billy LeoTelevision series; episode Officer Down
2010 Henry's Crime Joe
2011 Violet & Daisy Man #4
2011 Nurse Jackie Mr. DigbyTelevision series; episode ...Deaf Blind Tumor Pee-Test
2012 Safe Julius Barkow
2012 Ted Donny's FatherUncredited
2014 The Knick Bunky CollierTelevision series; 5 episodes
2016 Gotham PharmacistTelevision series; episode "Mr. Freeze"
2016 Exposed Detective Joey Cullen
2016 Wolves Sean
2016 Barry Eddie
2017–2019 She's Gotta Have It Dean "Onyx" Haggen3 episodes
2018 Maniac AlexanderMiniseries; 9 episodes
2018 BlacKkKlansman Agent Y
2019GoldieFrank

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Dre</span> American rapper (born 1965)

Andre Romell Young, known professionally as Dr. Dre, is an American rapper, record producer, record executive, and actor. He is the founder and CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, and co-founder of Death Row Records. Dre began his career as a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru in 1984, and later found fame with the gangsta rap group N.W.A. The group popularized explicit lyrics in hip hop to detail the violence of street life. During the early 1990s, Dre was credited as a key figure in the crafting and popularization of West Coast G-funk, a subgenre of hip hop characterized by a synthesizer foundation and slow, heavy production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Snoop Dogg</span> American rapper (born 1971)

Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., also known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer, media personality, and actor. His initial fame dates back to 1992 following his guest appearance on Dr. Dre's debut solo single, "Deep Cover", and later on Dre's debut album, The Chronic that same year. Broadus has since sold over 23 million albums in the United States, and 35 million albums worldwide. His accolades include an American Music Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and 17 Grammy Award nominations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suge Knight</span> American music executive (born 1965)

Marion Hugh "Suge" Knight Jr. is an American record executive and convicted felon who is the co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records. Knight was a central figure in gangsta rap's commercial success in the 1990s. This feat is attributed to the record label's first two album releases: Dr. Dre's The Chronic in 1992 and Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle in 1993. Knight is currently serving a 28-year sentence in prison for a fatal hit-and-run in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warren G</span> American rapper, record producer, and DJ (born 1970)

Warren Griffin III is an American rapper, record producer, and DJ who helped popularize West Coast hip hop during the 1990s. A pioneer of G-funk, he attained mainstream success with his 1994 single "Regulate". He is credited with discovering Snoop Dogg, having introduced the then-unknown rapper to record producer Dr. Dre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slick Rick</span> English-American rapper and record producer (born 1965)

Richard Martin Lloyd Walters, better known as Slick Rick, is an English-American rapper and record producer. He rose to prominence as part of Doug E. Fresh & the Get Fresh Crew in the mid-1980s. Their songs "The Show" and "La Di Da Di" are considered early hip hop classics. "La Di Da Di" is one of the most sampled songs in history.

<i>Doggystyle</i> 1993 studio album by Snoop Doggy Dogg

Doggystyle is the debut studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 23, 1993, by Death Row and Interscope Records. The album was recorded and produced following Snoop Doggy Dogg's appearances on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic (1992), to which Snoop contributed significantly. The West Coast style in hip-hop that he developed from Dre's first album continued on Doggystyle. Critics have praised Snoop Dogg for the lyrical "realism" that he delivers on the album and for his distinctive vocal flow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death Row Records</span> American record label

Death Row Records is an American record label that was founded in 1991 by The D.O.C., Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, and Dick Griffey. The label became a sensation by releasing multi-platinum hip-hop albums by West Coast-based artists such as Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg (Doggystyle) and 2Pac during the 1990s. At its peak, Death Row was making over US $150 million a year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daz Dillinger</span> American rapper and producer (born 1973)

Delmar Drew Arnaud, known professionally as Daz Dillinger or simply Daz, is an American rapper and record producer. As a member of Death Row Records in the early 1990s, he is credited with the label in pioneering West Coast hip hop and gangsta rap for mainstream audiences. Alongside Kurupt, he formed the hip hop duo tha Dogg Pound in 1992, with whom he has released eight albums.

Nathaniel Dwayne Hale, known professionally as Nate Dogg, was an American singer and rapper. Hale gained recognition for providing guest vocals for a multitude of hit rap songs between 1992 and 2007, earning the nickname "King of Hooks".

<i>Murder Was the Case</i> 1994 soundtrack album by various artists

Murder Was the Case is a 1994 short film and soundtrack album starring and performed by Snoop Doggy Dogg. The 18 minute film was directed by Dr. Dre and Fab Five Freddy and chronicles the fictional death of Snoop Dogg and his resurrection after making a deal with the Devil. The film's title comes from Snoop's song of the same name from his debut album, Doggystyle, which had been released a year earlier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DJ Quik</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1970)

David Marvin Blake, better known by his stage names DJ Quik or Da Quiksta, is an American rapper and record producer from Compton, California, known for his production in the G-funk style of West Coast hip-hop. Blake has collaborated with Snoop Dogg, Kurupt, Tupac, Chingy, R. Kelly and Shaquille O'Neal, among others. As a recording artist himself, he is perhaps best known for his 1991 single "Tonite", which within the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100. Blake's stage name refers to his ability of producing songs in a short period of time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drop It Like It's Hot</span> 2004 single by Snoop Dogg featuring Pharrell

"Drop It Like It's Hot" is a song by American rapper Snoop Dogg, featuring American singer, rapper and musician Pharrell Williams. It was released on September 27, 2004, as the lead single from Snoop Dogg's seventh studio album, R&G : The Masterpiece (2004). The song was produced by Williams alongside Chad Hugo as the Neptunes. It is regarded as an iconic song, with Snoop performing the chorus and the second and third verses while Pharrell performs the first verse.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fredwreck</span> Musical artist

Farid Karam Nassar, better known by his stage name Fredwreck, is a Grammy Award-winning American hip-hop recording artist, DJ, and record producer. He got his big break when he became a producer for Dr. Dre's newly founded record label Aftermath Entertainment, and then went on to work with Snoop Dogg's record label Dogghouse Records and became a known producer on Tha Dogg Pound-affiliated material. During this time he also was a producer for Snoop Dogg's track: Riders on the Storm ft. The Doors on EA's Need for Speed Underground 2. He has produced tracks from Kurupt's Tha Streetz Iz a Mutha and most of his next release, Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey; both released during the period the rapper had left Death Row Records. He has also produced for other hip-hop and pop artists such as Eminem, Britney Spears, Ice Cube, Westside Connection, Lil' Kim, Hilary Duff, Xzibit, The Game, Nate Dogg, Everlast, Cypress Hill, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, as well as non-US acts such as Dizzee Rascal, Tamer Hosny, Qusai Kheder and Karl Wolf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bad Azz (rapper)</span> American rapper (1975–2019)

Jamarr Antonio Stamps, better known by his stage name Bad Azz, was an American rapper and member of hip-hop collective D.P.G.C.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurupt</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1972)

Ricardo Emmanuel Brown, better known by his stage name Kurupt, is an American rapper and record producer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, he formed Tha Dogg Pound in 1992 along with Daz Dillinger; the rap duo has released eight albums. He also formed the hip hop group The Hrsmn in 1996, with whom he has released two albums. His debut solo album, Kuruption! (1998) was released by A&M Records and peaked at number eight on the Billboard 200.

<i>All Eyez on Me</i> 1996 studio album by 2Pac

All Eyez on Me is the fourth and final studio album by American rapper 2Pac to be released during his lifetime. Released on February 13, 1996, by Death Row and Interscope Records, the album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Snoop Doggy Dogg, Redman, Method Man, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, Daz Dillinger, E-40, K-Ci & JoJo, and the Outlawz, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hip-hop theater</span> Theatrical genre

Hip-hop theater is a form of theater that presents contemporary stories through the use of one or more of the four elements of hip-hop culture—b-boying, graffiti writing, MCing (rapping), and DJing. Other cultural markers of hip-hop such as spoken word, beatboxing, and hip-hop dance can be included as well although they are not always present. What is most important is the language of the theatrical piece and the plot's relevance to the world. Danny Hoch, the founder of the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, further defines it as such: "Hip-hop theatre must fit into the realm of theatrical performance, and it must be by, about and for the hip-hop generation, participants in hip-hop culture, or both."

<i>Mac & Devin Go to High School</i> (soundtrack) 2011 soundtrack album and studio album by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa

Mac & Devin Go to High School is the collaborative soundtrack to the film of the same name, as well as a collaborative studio album by American rappers and film stars Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. It was released on December 13, 2011, by Atlantic Records. The album features guest appearances from Bruno Mars, Juicy J, Curren$y and Mike Posner. The album is supported by the lone hit single, "Young, Wild & Free". The album received positive reviews from music critics, who praised Snoop's and Khalifa's technical rapping abilities and production choices. The soundtrack debuted at number 29 on the US Billboard 200, and has been certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<i>Whiteboyz</i> 1999 comedy film directed by Marc Levin

Whiteboyz is a 1999 American comedy film. The independent, limited release feature was written by Danny Hoch, Garth Belcon, Henri M. Kessler, Richard Stratton, and Marc Levin, and directed by Levin. The film opened to 37 theatres on the week of September 11, 1999. It marked the film debut of actress Piper Perabo, in a minor role. Several well-known rappers made cameo appearances in the film.

References

  1. United States Artists Official Website Archived November 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  2. Cole, Williams (November 2008). "The Mea Culpa of Gentrification: Danny Hoch in conversation with Williams Cole". The Brooklyn Rail.
  3. "Season 7 DVD features at Seinfeld's Official Site". Sony Pictures. Archived from the original on February 19, 2008. Retrieved March 20, 2008.
  4. Kachka, Boris. "Native Tongues: Danny Hoch". New York Magazine, November 23, 2008. Accessed January 1, 2018.
  5. Rousuck, J. Wynn. "Danny Hoch, one-man gang Theater: Monologuist beyond the pale in 'Jails, Hospitals & Hip Hop.'". The Baltimore Sun, January 19, 1998. Accessed January 1, 2018.
  6. Internet Movie Database

Further reading