Sound Field

The Art of Diss: The History of Battle Rap

Explore the rich history of battle rap and the birth of the Ultimate Rap League (URL). Smack White, the founder of URL, shares his journey and vision for the league, while DNA and Arsonal, two of the most respected and talented battle rappers in the game, give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to succeed in this highly competitive art form.

The Art of Diss: The History of Battle Rap

13m 53s

  • How Beatboxers Turn Their Mouth into an Orchestra: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    How Beatboxers Turn Their Mouth into an Orchestra

    S4 E6 - 12m 56s

    We learn about the intricate techniques, innovative creativity, and boundless energy that make beatboxing special. Linda, Arthur, Carnage The Executioner, and The Beatbox House unravel the captivating artistry behind beatboxing and explore how it has influenced music today.

  • What Do They Mean When They Call Hip Hop “Alternative”?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    What Do They Mean When They Call Hip Hop “Alternative”?

    S4 E5 - 13m 1s

    Hosts Arthur and Linda dive into the world of alternative Hip Hop and explore how it relates to rap and R&B, covering the journey of artists like The Pharcyde, Odd Future, and Missy Elliott.

    Featuring Robeson "Taj" Frazier, PhD, host of Hip Hop and the Metaverse, and rising R&B star Jean Deaux.

  • Why Have So Many Countries Adopted Drill Rap?: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Why Have So Many Countries Adopted Drill Rap?

    S4 E4 - 12m 46s

    Drill music started in Chicago over a decade ago and has since spread to cities across the world. In this video, we'll take a closer look at how London's drill music scene was heavily influenced by the raw energy and dark lyrics of Chicago drill music like Lil Durk and Chief Keef. We'll also examine how London producers, in turn, inspired the drill sound in New York City.

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.