20 years after riots ripped through Los Angeles, UPRISING documents how hip hop forecasted - and some say ignited - the worst civil unrest of the 20th century. The film revisits the riots in gripping detail and draws from a diverse collection of voices - the rappers, rioters, victims, police officers, journalists and everyday citizens of South Central Los Angeles. The documentary traces the rise of dissent in Los Angeles in the 80's and 90's and explores why citizens chose to rise up violently against police abuse and perceived injustices.