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Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America
Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America

Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America

—From executive producers Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Tariq Black Thought Trotter, Shawn Gee and Alex Gibney, each episode of this series focuses on a groundbreaking song pivotal to the evolution of American music and culture. From the early hip-hop battles to verses that sparked hope and inspired change, watch artists deconstruct their composition, revisit the impact the song had on them personally, and dissect the socio-economic and cultural conditions that inspired the landmark work and gave voice to a generation.
1 seasonDocumentary, HistoryTV-14

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Season 16 of 6 Episodes

  • "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West; in an era of excess, a Christian rap song challenges the church and changes its own ideals about religion and rap music.

  • "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar; making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, "Alright" becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.

  • "Rock Box" by Run-DMC; how one song tore down the barriers between rock and hip-hop, race and class on American radio and television.

  • "Elevators" by OutKast; hip-hop's Southern voice breaks through with an unsuspecting song that redefines rap's cultural and geographic boundaries.

  • "The Bridge" by Marley Marl and MC Shan; a song designed to foster community pride ignites hip-hop's most epic rap battle.

  • "Ladies First" by Queen Latifah; at the height of hip-hop's misogynistic themes, the culture bows down to their queens of rap.
Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America

More about Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America

From executive producers Ahmir Questlove Thompson, Tariq Black Thought Trotter, Shawn Gee and Alex Gibney, each episode of this series focuses on a groundbreaking song pivotal to the evolution of American music and culture. From the early hip-hop battles to verses that sparked hope and inspired change, watch artists deconstruct their composition, revisit the impact the song had on them personally, and dissect the socio-economic and cultural conditions that inspired the landmark work and gave voice to a generation.

Starring

Pharrell, Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, John Legend, Big Boi, André 3000, Queen Latifah, L.A. Reid, Babyface, Al Sharpton, Chuck D, Questlove, Black Thought, Rev Run, DMC, LL Cool J, MC Shan, Marley Marl, Dame Dash, Jermaine Dupri, Funkmaster Flex, Tarana Burke, Brittany Packnett, DeRay Mckesson, Roxanne Shanté

6 Free Episodes

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  • "Jesus Walks" by Kanye West; in an era of excess, a Christian rap song challenges the church and changes its own ideals about religion and rap music.

  • "Alright" by Kendrick Lamar; making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, "Alright" becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.

  • "Rock Box" by Run-DMC; how one song tore down the barriers between rock and hip-hop, race and class on American radio and television.

  • "Elevators" by OutKast; hip-hop's Southern voice breaks through with an unsuspecting song that redefines rap's cultural and geographic boundaries.

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