Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America
Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America examines six songs based on the impact the song had on the time of its creation and beyond; we pick the hip-hop song that had the biggest impact both musically and culturally. Artists will deconstruct the song and walk us through the impact the song had on them personally. Along the way, we take a deep dive into the socio-economic and cultural conditions that inspired the landmark work... and gave voice to a generation.
Episode Guide
Season 1
- Episode 1: Jesus Walks: 2004
Aired: Oct 13, 2019JESUS WALKS by Kanye West: In an era of excess, a Christian rap song challenges the church and changes ideals about religion and rap music.
- Episode 2: Alright: 2015
Aired: Oct 20, 2019ALRIGHT by Kendrick Lamar: Making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, Alright becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.
- Episode 3: Rock Box: 1984
Aired: Oct 27, 2019ROCK BOX by Ryn-DMC: How one song tore down the barriers between rock & hip hop, race and class on American radio and television.
- Episode 4: Elevators: 1996
Aired: Nov 3, 2019ELEVATORS by OutKast: Hip hop's southern voice breaks through with an unsuspecting song that redefines rap's cultural and geographic boundaries.
- Episode 5: The Bridge: 1986
Aired: Nov 10, 2019THE BRIDGE by Marley Marl and MC Shan: A song designed to foster community pride, ignites hip hop's most epic rap battle.
- Episode 6: Ladies First: 1989
Aired: Nov 17, 2019LADIES FIRST by Queen Latifah: At the height of hip hop's misogynistic themes, the culture bows down to their queens of rap.