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Series · 2019–2019Ended

Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America

7.5·1 season·6 episodes·60 min avg.·United States of 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.

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01
Jesus Walks: 2004Up next
Oct 13, 2019

“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.

02
Alright: 2015
Alright: 2015
Oct 20, 2019

“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar: making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, “Alright” becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.

03
Rock Box: 1984
Rock Box: 1984
Oct 27, 2019

ROCK BOX by Run-DMC: How one song tore down the barriers between rock & hip hop, race and class on American radio and television.

04
Elevators: 1996
Elevators: 1996
Nov 3, 2019

ELEVATORS by OutKast: Hip hop's southern voice breaks through with an unsuspecting song that redefines rap's cultural and geographic boundaries.

05
The Bridge: 1986
The Bridge: 1986
Nov 10, 2019

THE BRIDGE by Marley Marl and MC Shan: A song designed to foster community pride, ignites hip hop's most epic rap battle.

06
Ladies First: 1989
Ladies First: 1989
Nov 17, 2019

LADIES FIRST by Queen Latifah: At the height of hip hop's misogynistic themes, the culture bows down to their queens of rap.

Cast

17 credited
Queen Latifah
Self
Kendrick Lamar
Self
Ye
Self
Questlove
Self
MC Lyte
Self
Roxanne Shanté
Self
Tariq Trotter
Self
Darryl 'DMC' McDaniels
Self
Joseph Simmons
Self
Fab 5 Freddy
Self

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