Genres
Networks
Created By
Tariq Trotter
Shawn Gee
Alex Gibney
Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America
Overview
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.
Key Crew
Top Cast
Seasons
Season 1 (2019)
No overview available.
6 episodes
Episodes
Episode 1: Jesus Walks: 2004
2019-10-13“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.
Runtime: 60 minEpisode 2: Alright: 2015
2019-10-20“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar: making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, “Alright” becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.
Runtime: 60 minEpisode 3: Rock Box: 1984
2019-10-27ROCK BOX by Run-DMC: How one song tore down the barriers between rock & hip hop, race and class on American radio and television.
Runtime: 60 minEpisode 4: Elevators: 1996
2019-11-03ELEVATORS by OutKast: Hip hop's southern voice breaks through with an unsuspecting song that redefines rap's cultural and geographic boundaries.
Runtime: 60 minEpisode 5: The Bridge: 1986
2019-11-10THE BRIDGE by Marley Marl and MC Shan: A song designed to foster community pride, ignites hip hop's most epic rap battle.
Runtime: 60 minEpisode 6: Ladies First: 1989
2019-11-17LADIES FIRST by Queen Latifah: At the height of hip hop's misogynistic themes, the culture bows down to their queens of rap.
Runtime: 60 min
