Series synopsis
Hip Hop Evolution is a Canadian documentary television series that premiered on HBO on September 5, 2016. It ended on January 17, 2020. It was created by Darby Wheeler. It stars Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa, Ice-T and Ice Cube.
Hip-Hop today is a global culture that has changed music, dance, fashion, language —and even politics. But where did this worldwide cultural movement begin? We trace hip-hop back to its humble beginnings, when the kids of the Bronx crammed into house parties, rec rooms, and public parks to hear music like they’d never heard it before.
Premise
Hip-Hop today is a global culture that has changed music, dance, fashion, language —and even politics. But where did this worldwide cultural movement begin? We trace hip-hop back to its humble beginnings, when the kids of the Bronx crammed into house parties, rec rooms, and public parks to hear music like they’d never heard it before.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Grandmaster Flash as Self
- Afrika Bambaataa as Self
- Ice-T as Self
- Ice Cube as Self
- Shad as Self
Guest cast
- Pharrell Williams as Self
- J Dilla as Self (archive footage)
- Chad Hugo as Self
- Ye as Self
- Missy Elliott as Self
- Timbaland as Self
- André 3000 as Himself
- Big Boi as Himself
- Cee Lo Green as Himself
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 16 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | September 5, 2016 | September 26, 2016 |
| Season 2 | 4 | October 19, 2018 | October 19, 2018 |
| Season 3 | 4 | September 6, 2019 | September 6, 2019 |
| Season 4 | 4 | January 17, 2020 | January 17, 2020 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Foundation Bronx-based DJs set Hip-Hop's sonic foundations. MCs, inspired by African American oral traditions, create the modern template for rap music, culminating with the emergence of Hip-Hop's first crew, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. |
September 5, 2016 |
| 2 |
From The Underground to The Mainstream Hip-Hop crews in the Bronx and Harlem begin to form around the DJs, but these pioneering groups never record any music. It would take R&B veterans to see the genre’s commercial potential and create Hip-Hop's first hit, "Rapper's Delight." |
September 12, 2016 |
| 3 |
The New Guard Run-DMC ushers in a new era of Hip-Hop. Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin build Hip-Hop's first empire, Def Jam. An unknown producer finds a new way to make beats and launches Hip-Hop's Golden Age, culminating in the epic fury of Public Enemy. |
September 19, 2016 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Southern Way 2 Live Crew popularizes the Miami bass sound and scores a victory for free speech. The Geto Boys put Houston on the map, paving the way for UGK. |
October 19, 2018 |
| 2 |
Out the Trunk: The Bay In the Bay Area, Too $hort channels pimp culture, MC Hammer becomes rap's first pop star, and Digital Underground introduces the world to Tupac Shakur. |
October 19, 2018 |
| 3 |
Do the Knowledge KRS-One makes his mark at New York's legendary Latin Quarter club. A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul cultivate an Afrocentric, jazzy style. |
October 19, 2018 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
A Tale of Two Coasts With the rise of N.W.A., gangsta rap and Suge Knight, the East Coast-West Coast rivalry climaxes with a lethal beef ensnaring the great Tupac Shakur. |
September 6, 2019 |
| 2 |
Life After Death In NYC, the Notorious B.I.G. fosters an empowering protégée, Lil' Kim. When the East-West feud claims Biggie, Puff Daddy and Jay-Z vie for the throne. |
September 6, 2019 |
| 3 |
Pass the Mic Alternative hip-hop bubbles up from the streets: Mos Def spits in NYC, the Freestyle Fellowship chops it up in LA, and Eminem battle on the circuit. |
September 6, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Bounce to This Rooted in New Orleans's rich music culture, No Limit mogul Master P and bounce breakouts DJ Jimi and Juvenile shake rap and put twerking on the map. |
January 17, 2020 |
| 2 |
The Southern Lab Innovators explode out of the South: Houston's DJ Screw slows hip-hop down, Memphis's Three 6 Mafia goes dark, and Atlanta's Lil Jon brings the crunk. |
January 17, 2020 |
| 3 |
The Super Producers Auteurs like the Neptunes' Pharrell and Chad expand the sonic palette. Timbaland and Missy Elliott lean forward. Kanye West and J Dilla reimagine rap. |
January 17, 2020 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | HBO |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 5, 2016 |
| Last aired | January 17, 2020 |
| Runtime | 50 minutes |
| Status | ended |