The rapping sequences of Mario Van Peebles were re-voiced by Ice-T. They were also overdubbed by Master Gee of the Sugarhill Gang.
Cannon Films and Golan-Globus Productions quickly assembled the idea for this film to capitalize on the success of their 1984 urban dance hit Breakin' (1984).
During the audition scene in the nightclub with Ice-T, the DJ and Rapper with him on stage were members of his REAL LIFE crew, "Rhyme Syndicate". Brothers Eric Garcia and Henry Garcia are better known as "Evil E" and "Hen G".
Leo O'Brien (who plays Mario van Peebles younger brother, in the movie), was actually the real life, younger brother of Guy O'Brien, better known as "Master Gee", from the pioneering rap group, The Sugarhill Gang.
In an interview with 'Tha Foundation', Master Gee said of his involvement with this film: ''Another thing that I did was the voice overs for Rappin' (1985)' - the movie with Mario Van Peebles. My brother was in that movie as well as The Last Dragon (1985). All of Rappin' (1985)' raps were overdubbed by me. We went to L.A. for my brother to do some stuff on the movie, and they asked me to preview the movie and tell them what I thought. And I told them that it was the worst piece of trash that I had ever seen, and I asked how could you have a movie called rappin' where the lead character can't rap?. They asked me would I do all the raps over, and I did it. I actually wrote one part. The part where Mario runs into the back of a truck....''.