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What an interesting concept – take five DJs and have them create a song with prominent artists of a different genre. In association with the Grammys, the documentary Re:Generation was born. Following DJ Premier, Skrillex, Pretty Lights, Mark Ronson, and The Crystal Method, the movie takes these masters of their own craft and throws them into a tumultuous mixed up scenario causing them obvious stress and discomfort. What resulted is five amazing tracks that each take a different approach to the mission and an accompanying movie that illustrates the process of music-making beautifully.


In my opinion, the project was doomed to fail from the beginning because music should be such a personal expression brought out by the true emotions of the artists. By making a track just to make a track, it looses a lot of its emphasis and soul. The movie touched on this quite well showing how the DJ, artists, and musicians interacted and complained about the situation they were put in. But then you come to learn that the DJ is in fact both and artist and musician and in the end, the whole experience is a personal foundation for each of these tracks. I know I just talked in a circle but once you see the film, you’ll understand what I mean and appreciate the songs so much more.

The movie began with introductions of the five DJs and a little bit of their background. The audience cheered for each of their favorites once they hit the screen which made the movie-watching experience even more fun in a crowded theater. DJ Premier was tasked to make a song with classical music so he quickly went digging for vinyls from the late greats such as Beethoven and Mozart. Skrillex was tasked with a rock song which he grew up listening to. The Doors didn’t really know who he was but their kids wanted Skrillex’s autograph. Skrillex replied that he’s a fan but probably his dad would want their autograph. Pretty Lights seemed to have the toughest match with Country music…he was visibly stressing out the entire time except with LeAnn Rimes came to save the day. Mark Ronson went down to New Orleans to make a Jazz track with the amazing musicians Zigaboo Modeliste, members of The Dap Kings, Trombone Shorty as well as the eclectic Erykah Badu and Mos Def who apparently changed his name to Yasiin Bey. Finally, The Crystal Method was tasked to make an R&B joint with Martha Reeves.

The beauty of this documentary is how it exposes the talents, methods, and processes of the various music makers. There isn’t one right answer…there isn’t one way to make music. They all had their different approach and the results were astonishing. Some of them butt heads and others gelled together like they were family. When Skrillex first met members of The Doors and they heard what he had made…they just stared at him and said, “Uh huh.” The most obvious apprehension was between Dr. Ralph Stanley and Pretty Lights and Martha Reeves with The Crystal Method. The artists were stuck in their way and while the DJs tried to understand where they were coming from, the artists wouldn’t budge and see where the DJs were trying to go. I think that’s the main takeaway from this film and Pretty Lights put it perfectly…they aren’t trying to redo these genres but breathe new life into them because obviously electronic dance music is what the kids love and they are the next generation.

Even though the DJs proved to the audience that they aren’t just pushing buttons on a machine and are actual musicians too, the true highlight and magic is when artists such as Erykah Badu and LeAnn Rimes took the mic and displayed their natural talent – it was brilliant! If you come from any background of music, this is an excellent movie to watch and jam to. It screens one more time on February 23rd so don’t miss it! You can download and listen to all the tracks that were made as well as remixes right here for free! You can also watch clips from the film on Hyundai’s YouTube channel but my friend wants you to know that the trailer doesn’t do the movie justice so just go check it out – you won’t be disappointed.