Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America

Episode 01

Jesus Walks: 2004

Oct 13, 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.

Episode 02

Alright: 2015

Oct 20, 2019 · 60 min

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

Episode 03

Rock Box: 1984

Oct 27, 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.

Episode 04

Elevators: 1996

Nov 3, 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.

Episode 05

The Bridge: 1986

Nov 10, 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.

Episode 06

Ladies First: 1989

Nov 17, 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.