Arts and Music

Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

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."

Still Fighting

54m 59s

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.

Episodes

  • Still Fighting: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Still Fighting

    S1 E4 - 54m 59s

    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.

  • Culture Wars: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Culture Wars

    S1 E3 - 54m 35s

    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.

  • Under Siege: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Under Siege

    S1 E2 - 54m 32s

    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: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Foundation

    S1 E1 - 54m 14s

    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

  • After Hurricane Katrina Hit, Hip Hop Stars Stepped Up: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • ‘Tough on Crime’ Bill Translates into Mass Incarceration: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    ‘Tough on Crime’ Bill Translates into Mass Incarceration

    S1 E3 - 4m 58s

    As a result of a new crime bill during the Clinton administration, 1 in 3 Black males get caught up in the criminal justice system. Featuring interviews with Dr. Hasan Kwame Jeffries, author Nelson George, journalist Dr. Rosa Alicia Clemente, and Leah Wright Rigeur.

  • 90's Hip Hop Reflected Realities on the Street: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • Where the Spirit of Hip Hop Originated: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • The Birth Of Hip Hop: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    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.

  • The First Socially Conscious Hip Hop Hit: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The First Socially Conscious Hip Hop Hit

    S1 E1 - 3m 5s

    Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's hit 'The Message' spoke to how people were truly living and feeling. Melle Mel gives background to the lyrics he rapped in the song.

Schedule

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