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Season 1 – Hip Hop Evolution

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Hip Hop Evolution Sep 2016 Music Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 5 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Hip-hop music first developed in the United States in the 1970s and has steadily grown in popularity in the decades since then. This docuseries traces the genre's dynamic evolution from the beginning through the 1990s. It starts with a look at artists -- including Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash -- who laid the foundation early on, and then moves on to other influential groups like Run-DMC and Public Enemy. The show also explores differences in hip-hop on the East Coast compared to the West Coast.
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Hip Hop Evolution — Season 1

Critics Reviews

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Mark Gibbings-Jones Guardian 03/24/2020
Kabango's take isn't perfect - the impact of female artists like MC Lyte is downplayed - but this offers a real insight into the genesis of the genre. Go to Full Review Benjamin H. Smith Decider 03/24/2020
The show is hosted by Canadian rapper Shadrach "Shad" Kabango, who has an affable charm and scholarly enthusiasm for the genre and its pioneers. Go to Full Review Owen Richards The Arts Desk 03/24/2020
5/5
With its passion and the production, Hip Hop Evolution is an accessible standout series for Sky Arts. Go to Full Review Dana Villamagna Common Sense Media 02/13/2017
4/5
Frank, fascinating history of a music genre, culture shift. Go to Full Review Kahron Spearman The Daily Dot 01/20/2017
The extraordinary series adds an essential sturdiness to rap mythology, but it's not without great faults. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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letaiser 07/09/2023 yeah it was good I really liked the last episode with nwa but for people who aren't in hip hop it can be boring See more Hans A 09/12/2022 I think it ist a "must see" for everyone that likes hiphop and rap. See more ma'ark t 03/12/2017 Worth it for the new interviews of some absolute legends! See more 02/18/2017 I am a huge hip-hop fan. But there seem to be some gaps in the story. Is it that they couldn't get the interviews or just tried to gloss over some key people. Like KRS-One, Roxanne Shanty, The Real Roxanne, MCLyte, De La Soul, Wu-Tang, etc? Were they not seen as influential enough? I saw that a few album covers were shown but is that all we're going to get from them? I don't understand. However, I did learn a lot in these first episodes. There are things here that I doubt everyone would know. So it's still worth viewing. I hope their next episodes go back around to the females in the industry. See more Read all reviews
Hip Hop Evolution — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Afrika Bambaataa

Actor

Grandmaster Flash

Actor

DJ Kool Herc

Actor

Ice Cube

Actor

Ice-T

Actor

Darby Wheeler

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 4, 2016 The Foundation In the 1970s, DJ Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash and the first rhythmic rappers lay the foundations of hip-hop. Details Episode 2 Aired Sep 11, 2016 The Underground to the Mainstream Bootleg tapes capture the energy of live battles; the Sugarhill Gang releases a Top 40 hit; hip-hop meets art punk. Details Episode 3 Aired Sep 18, 2016 The New Guard Run-D.M.C. and Def Jam bridge the rock-rap divide; Marley Marl and Rakim usher in a new sound; Public Enemy raises consciousness. Details Episode 4 Aired Sep 25, 2016 The Birth of Gangsta Rap Ice-T and N.W.A. put West Coast rap on the map; Dr Dre tops the charts with "The Chronic." Details

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Hip Hop Evolution — Season 1

Hip Hop Evolution Hip Hop Evolution Hip Hop Evolution Hip Hop Evolution View more photos

Season Info

Director
Darby Wheeler
Screenwriter
Rodrigo Bascunan
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Music, Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 4, 2016
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