Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America (2019)
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.
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Episode 1 - Jesus Walks: 2004
Release Date: 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.
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Episode 2 - Alright: 2015
Release Date: 2019-10-20“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar: making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, “Alright” becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.
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Episode 3 - Rock Box: 1984
Release Date: 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.
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Episode 4 - Elevators: 1996
Release Date: 2019-11-03ELEVATORS 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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Episode 5 - The Bridge: 1986
Release Date: 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.
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Episode 6 - Ladies First: 1989
Release Date: 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.