By Kat Noel

How did you feel the first time you heard the bass dropped in a song and an artist just flowed with rhymes from the top of their head? Where were you when you heard that perfect verse over a tight beat? The real question is: when did you fall in love with hip hop?

In the film “Brown Sugar,” it was July 18, 1984 on a New York City street corner when Sidnee Shaw (Sanaa Lathan) and Dre Ellis (Taye Diggs) witnessed the birth of hip hop and became lifelong friends. Fifteen years after that childhood moment, Shaw is an admired music critic and Ellis is a successful, but discontented, A ‘ R record executive.

While Shaw is in the process of writing a book as a love letter to the art form that has changed her life, Ellis is questioning his position in the money-hungry, commercialized record industry. He wonders whatever happened to his dream of making music.

Lathan, who has also starred in “Love ‘ Basketball,” “The Best Man,” and “Disappearing Acts,” is a star that shines brighter with every performance. She is the epitome of a versatile actress. Lathan immerses herself in the character of Sidnee Shaw and captivates the audience with sincerity and incomparable talent.

Mos Def’s role as Chris, a lyricist whom Ellis wishes to sign, is essential to the appeal of “Brown Sugar.” He offers comedic relief when necessary and serves as a combination of sidekick and counselor to Diggs’ character. Whenever on screen, Mos steals the show and proves that his talent extends past the mic.

“Brown Sugar’s” all-star cast includes Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker from Showtime’s “Soul Food,” and Queen Latifah. There are also guest appearances by Def Jam founder Russell Simmons, Doug E. Fresh, Common Sense, Blackthought, De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Big Daddy Kane and Method Man.

Thanks to contributions from such hip hop luminaries as Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, Erykah Badu, The Roots and Jill Scott, the “Brown Sugar” soundtrack will have heads bobbing and fingers snapping.

Basketball legend Ervin “Magic” Johnson served as executive producer of both the film and the accompanying album.

“Brown Sugar,” directed by Rick Famuyiwa, who also directed “The Wood,” brings the audience back to the days of pop locking at block parties, YO! MTV Raps, Slick Rick and that one true love.

Within the hip-hop-laced scenes is a love story about two friends whose true passion extends beyond music. Similar to such films as “My Best Friend’s Wedding” and “Love Jones,” this romantic comedy promises to become a contemporary classic.

“Brown Sugar” hit theaters on Friday, October 11.