Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Under Siege

55m 7s

Explore the 1980s and the birth of Hip Hop as social commentary in the Reagan Era with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T, and NWA.

Episodes

Under Siege

S1 E2 - 55m 7s

Explore the 1980s and the birth of Hip Hop as social commentary in the Reagan Era with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T, and NWA.
The Foundation

S1 E1 - 55m 3s

Discover the factors that led to the birth of Hip Hop and its first socially conscious hit The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in 1982.

Extras + Features

Hip Hop Artists Mobilize for Obama

S1 E4 - 3m 20s

The series finale examines the role Hip Hop artists played electing Barack Obama to President of the United States. Also examines Young Jeezy's song, My President is Black as an homage to this historical moment. Featuring artists P Diddy and Jay-Z in archival interviews as well as new sit-downs with Chuck D, Killer Mike, Ice-T, Fat Joe, MC Lyte and academic Dr. Kaye Whitehead.
After Hurricane Katrina Hit, Hip Hop Stars Stepped Up

S1 E4 - 2m 40s

Hip Hop community stands up for Hurricane Katrina victims, many of whom feel abandoned by their government following a lackluster response to the crisis. Lil Wayne recounts personal experience of losing his family in the storm (in archive). Chuck D and Killer Mike also describe watching the catastrophe unfold. Also featuring Dr. Kaye Whitehead and Hip Hop journalist journalist Rodney Carmichael.
Episode 4 Preview

S1 E4 - 30s

Follow the evolution of Hip Hop as its artists turn into multimillionaires and successful entrepreneurs. As a cultural phenomenon, Hip Hop continues to change history and is adopted as the voice of protest around the world.
Episode 3 Preview

S1 E3 - 30s

Experience the 1990s during the Clinton years and the unstoppable rise in popularity of Hip Hop, which becomes a force that is attacked by all sides of the political establishment.
90's Hip Hop Reflected Realities on the Street

S1 E3 - 2m 10s

Hip Hop continues to establish itself in the 1990s, reflecting the social reality faced by many African Americans in disadvantaged communities ravaged by drugs, gangs, and crime. Featuring artists Warren G, journalist Soren Baker, historian Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, and Leah Wright Rigeur.
The Police and Gangs Of Southern California

S1 E2 - 2m 18s

Rapper Ice-T, academic Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, and journalist Soren Baker explore the antagonistic relationship that evolved between the Black community and police in Southern California and the music that came out of it.
Episode 2 Preview

S1 E2 - 30s

Explore the 1980s and the birth of Hip Hop as social commentary in the Reagan Era with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T, and NWA. Premieres Feb. 7 on pbs.org and the PBS App. Check local listings for TV schedules.
How Public Enemy's 'Fight The Power' Became an Anthem

S1 E2 - 2m 55s

Spike Lee looks to Public Enemy for a song to feature on his new film, 'Do the Right Thing.' 'Fight the Power' becomes a rallying cry in the face of oppression. Featuring Public Enemy's Chuck D, Spike Lee's cinematographer Ernest Dickerson, and academic Dr. Kaye Whitehead.
The Birth Of Hip Hop

S1 E1 - 1m 34s

Four cultures - Rap, Breaking, Graffiti Art, and DJing - are brought together by DJ Kool Herc to create Hip Hop. Featuring interviews with Chuck D of Public Enemy, Darryl McDaniels of Run DMC, and KRS-One.
Where the Spirit of Hip Hop Originated

S1 E1 - 2m 52s

Chuck D takes us back to the start of the 60s, where the spirit of Hip Hop originated. The deaths of John F. Kennedy, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Vietnam War begin to shape the nation, and have a profound impact on Chuck D and his community.
Series Preview

S1 - 30s

Chuck D of Public Enemy explores Hip Hop's political awakening over the last 50 years. With a host of rap stars and cultural commentators he tracks Hip Hop's socially conscious roots. From The Message to Fight The Power 2020, he examines how Hip Hop has become "the Black CNN."
Producers Chuck D and Lorrie Boula on Hip Hop Turning 50

S1 - 2m

Executive Producers Chuck D and Lorrie Boula discuss Hip Hop's impact and role speaking truth to power as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

Schedule

Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

The Foundation

Saturday
Feb 11

8:00 pm

1 Hour

A look at the origins of hip-hop and its first socially conscious hit -- "The Message" -- by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in 1982.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

The Foundation

Sunday
Feb 12

12:00 am

1 Hour

A look at the origins of hip-hop and its first socially conscious hit -- "The Message" -- by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five in 1982.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Under Seige

Tuesday
Feb 14

9:00 pm

1 Hour

Exploring the 1980s and the birth of hip-hop as social commentary with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T and NWA.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Under Seige

Tuesday
Feb 14

9:00 pm

1 Hour

Exploring the 1980s and the birth of hip-hop as social commentary with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T and NWA.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Under Seige

Wednesday
Feb 15

2:00 am

1 Hour

Exploring the 1980s and the birth of hip-hop as social commentary with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T and NWA.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Under Seige

Wednesday
Feb 15

2:00 am

1 Hour

Exploring the 1980s and the birth of hip-hop as social commentary with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T and NWA.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Under Seige

Saturday
Feb 18

8:00 pm

1 Hour

Exploring the 1980s and the birth of hip-hop as social commentary with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T and NWA.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Under Seige

Sunday
Feb 19

12:00 am

1 Hour

Exploring the 1980s and the birth of hip-hop as social commentary with the emergence of artists like Public Enemy, KRS-One, Ice-T and NWA.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Culture Wars

Tuesday
Feb 21

9:00 pm

1 Hour

The 1990s and the rise in popularity of hip-hop, which finds itself attacked by all sides of the political establishment.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Culture Wars

Tuesday
Feb 21

9:00 pm

1 Hour

The 1990s and the rise in popularity of hip-hop, which finds itself attacked by all sides of the political establishment.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Still Fighting

Tuesday
Feb 21

10:00 pm

1 Hour

Hip-hop becomes a cultural phenomenon, producing multimillionaire artists and changing history.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Still Fighting

Tuesday
Feb 21

10:00 pm

1 Hour

Hip-hop becomes a cultural phenomenon, producing multimillionaire artists and changing history.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Culture Wars

Wednesday
Feb 22

2:00 am

1 Hour

The 1990s and the rise in popularity of hip-hop, which finds itself attacked by all sides of the political establishment.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Culture Wars

Wednesday
Feb 22

2:00 am

1 Hour

The 1990s and the rise in popularity of hip-hop, which finds itself attacked by all sides of the political establishment.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Still Fighting

Wednesday
Feb 22

3:00 am

1 Hour

Hip-hop becomes a cultural phenomenon, producing multimillionaire artists and changing history.
Image

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

Still Fighting

Wednesday
Feb 22

3:00 am

1 Hour

Hip-hop becomes a cultural phenomenon, producing multimillionaire artists and changing history.

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.