Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World

The First Socially Conscious Hip Hop Hit

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.

The First Socially Conscious Hip Hop Hit

3m 5s

  • 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.

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.