We're not taking the rap for knife crime

After years of criticism over its violent lyrics and links with knife crime, rap music is fighting back.

A young MC and a breakdancing fruit-and-veg stallholder are among artists showcased in a new hip hop documentary. Film-maker Teddy Nygh, 29, spent two years interviewing some of Britain's leading hip hop names and visited more than 40 estates across London in a bid to capture "the real side of hip hop".

Clash A'Da Tight 1's is set for release in July on DVD and has already won nominations at eight film festivals worldwide.

Mr Nygh, from Hornsey, said: "I set out to show the art of hip hop, the rapping, the dancing and graffiti but also the entrepreneurial side. But I also saw the film as a way of addressing people's misconceptions about hip hop."

The film features 18-year-old Tottenham MC Chipmunk, real name Jahmaal Noel Fyffe, who weaves in lyrics about his high-scoring exam grades while keeping his art "real". Last year he was named Best UK Newcomer at the Mobo Awards .

He was filmed for the "rapumentary" behind the scenes on the shoot for his video Beast.

Mr Nygh said: "Chipmunk often references how well he did in his exams. When he was in the studio, his dad used to pick him up so he could go to do his homework."

He gained five As and four Bs at GCSE at Gladesmore Community School in Tottenham and is now studying sociology, drama and accounting A-levels.

Chipmunk's "Tiny Dancer" collaboration with Ironik, which samples Elton John's hit Tiny Dancer, is currently number three in the charts.

Other highlights of the film include breakdancer Fantastic Freeze, who also sells fruit and veg outside Turnpike Lane Tube station.

Other artists featured include the three-piece Heartless Crew from Holloway, so called because of the "hearts in their music", the 26-year-old rapper Sway, from Tottenham, and the Don Desperados, a three-piece grime group from Haringey, one of whom is also a youth worker.

Don Desperado member Mark-Anthony Johnson, 24, whose stage name is Skye Diesel, said: "The film explains to people who aren't in that kind of lifestyle the types of beef [arguments] that go on. Hopefully it will give these people the wider view and open up their minds."

The film also explores the rivalry around London's postcode gang wars.

Mr Nygh said: "It's a vicious circle that's hard to break and often the place where people come from, like their estate, is the only thing they have to protect."

Mr Nygh travelled across London, from Tottenham to Peckham, Hackney to Shepherd's Bush and also to Australia, to make the film. He added: "I wanted to shed some light on the darker side so people can understand it."

Clash A'Da Tight 1's is released on DVD in July.