Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America — Season 1
About this season
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.
Episodes (6)
1. Jesus Walks: 2004
Aired 13 October 2019 • 60 min
“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.
2. Alright: 2015
Aired 20 October 2019 • 60 min
“Alright” by Kendrick Lamar: making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, “Alright” becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.
3. Rock Box: 1984
Aired 27 October 2019 • 60 min
ROCK BOX by Run-DMC: How one song tore down the barriers between rock & hip hop, race and class on American radio and television.
4. Elevators: 1996
Aired 3 November 2019 • 60 min
ELEVATORS by OutKast: Hip hop's southern voice breaks through with an unsuspecting song that redefines rap's cultural and geographic boundaries.
5. The Bridge: 1986
Aired 10 November 2019 • 60 min
THE BRIDGE by Marley Marl and MC Shan: A song designed to foster community pride, ignites hip hop's most epic rap battle.
6. Ladies First: 1989
Aired 17 November 2019 • 60 min
LADIES FIRST by Queen Latifah: At the height of hip hop's misogynistic themes, the culture bows down to their queens of rap.