Celebrate National Hip-Hop Day With PBS
August 11 is National Hip-Hop Celebration Day! The celebration was made official by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer last July, following the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. In a speech on the Senate floor, Schumer said: "Hip hop has transcended language, race, age, both geographic and socioeconomic barriers. It's a uniquely American art form that quickly blossomed into a global movement, and we are proud today that this resolution, honoring the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, has passed."
Join us in celebrating the history and impact of the influential genre through the following programs and performances. From shows like Hip-Hop and the Metaverse to documentaries like Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World, you will trace the genre's roots and learn where it's headed. And don't forget to check out incredible performances by hip-hop artists and rappers like The Roots, Will.i.am, and Kendrick Lamar.
Learn even more about Hip-Hop and Black culture in PBS’s Black Culture Connection.
Fight the Power
Fight the Power is an incredible narrative of struggle, triumph and resistance brought to life through the lens of an art form that has chronicled the emotions, experiences and expressions of Black and Brown communities: Hip Hop. In the aftermath of America's racial and political reckoning in 2020, the perspectives and stories shared in Hip-Hop are key to understanding injustice over the last half-century.
Authored by Public Enemy's Chuck D, this documentary includes personal testimonies of the MCs, DJs, graffiti artists, filmmakers and politicians who created and shaped Hip Hop's direction as it grew from an underground movement in the Bronx to the most popular music genre in the United States.
Stream the full documentary with PBS Passport or watch the featured clips below.
The Roots
In this episode of Next at the Kennedy Center, Hip Hop legends The Roots give an electrifying performance during their residency at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The episode includes unforgettable performances of songs like "Proceed" and "Act Too (Love of My Life)" and commentary on how the band endeavors to inspire others and explore the depths of their creative potential.
Stream the full performance on PBS Passport or enjoy the featured clips below.
Hip-Hop and the Metaverse
Hip-Hop is the sound of the future, and the future is coming fast. Hosted by Robeson "Taj" Frazier, the PBS Digital Studios original series explores how Hip-Hop artists and entrepreneurs are reshaping and remixing emerging technologies. From virtual artists to AI, viewers will get a glimpse into the genre's future.
Hip-hop has a long history of representing underserved communities as an activist voice and movement builder. Artists have used the power of song to reflect on social injustices, discrimination, and struggles faced in inequitable societies. In the following episode, you will meet artists who continue Hip-Hop's revolutionary legacy using new technologies to voice their lived experiences.
Stream the full series on YouTube or watch the featured episodes below.
Will.i.am
In this episode of Great Performances, international superstar will.i.am performs from London’s historic Royal Albert Hall in a one-night-only concert event. The Grammy-award-winning artist, writer and producer reunites with Taboo and apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas for dynamic performances of his biggest hits, including “Scream & Shout,” “#thatPower,” “Heartbreaker,” and "Where Is The Love?"
Tune into clips of the star-studded performance below.
Sound Field
Sound Field is an original music education series from PBS Digital Studios that explores the music theory, production, history and culture behind our favorite songs and musical styles. Hosted by accomplished musicians and music teachers Arthur “LA” Buckner, Linda Diaz and Nahre Sol, each episode is a unique combination of musical performance and video essay explainers.
Season 4 focuses entirely on Hip-Hop, with episodes analyzing the vocal art form of beatboxing, the rich history of battle rap, and the emergence of drill and "alternative" rap styles. The six episodes provide viewers with insights into the past, present, and future of America's fastest-growing genre.
Stream the full series on YouTube or watch the featured episodes below.
Kendrick Lamar
Pulitzer-Prize-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar exemplifies modern Hip-Hop culture in his captivating 2016 performance on the Austin City Limits stage. Performing his hit single "Alright," an anthem of perseverance and resilience against racial inequality from "To Pimp A Butterfly," Lamar engages the audience in extraordinary ways. His influence on the genre is undeniable, and his impact will be felt for years to come.
Tune into the full performance below.
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