AMC’s new documentary series Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America, premieres Sunday, October 13 at 12am ET / 9pm PT. From Executive Producers Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Alex Gibney and directors Erik Parker and One9, each of the six episodes focuses on a groundbreaking song pivotal to the evolution of American music and culture including Kanye West’s Jesus Walks, Kendrick Lamar’s Alright, Run-D.M.C.’s Rock Box, Queen Latifah’s Ladies First, and more.
Artists, their collaborators and other influential musical and cultural figures deconstruct compositions, revisit the impact the song had on them personally, and dissect the socio-economic and cultural conditions that inspired the landmark work and gave voice to a generation. Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America is part of AMC’s Visionaries series from Oscar and Emmy-winning Jigsaw Productions in association with Two One Five Entertainment. In addition to Thompson, Trotter and Gibney, the series is also executive produced by Shawn Gee, Stacey Offman, Richard Perello, and Shea Serrano. Angie Day, Erik Parker and One9 also serve as co-executive producers.
The premiere episode features, “Jesus Walks” by Kanye West. In an era of excess, a Christian rap song challenges the church and changes its own ideals about religion and rap music.
Please find below episode synopses. All six episodes are available now on Screeners.com https://app.screeners.com/.
We hope you keep the series/cast in mind for coverage opportunities. For interviews or additional assets please contact Krista Zoch (KristaZ@ferencomm.com) and Whitney Shepherd (WhitneyS@ferencomm.com), 212.983.9898.
HIP HOP: THE SONGS THAT SHOOK AMERICA – EPISODE SYNOPSES
Episode 101: “Jesus Walks” by Kanye West
In an era of excess, a Christian rap song challenges the church and changes its own ideals about religion and rap music.
Episode 102: “Alright” by Kendrick
Making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, Alright becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.
Episode 103: “Rock Box” by Run-DMC
How one song tore down the barriers between rock & hip hop, race and class on American radio and television.
Episode 104: “Elevators” by Outkast
Hip hop’s southern voice breaks through with an unsuspecting song that redefines rap’s cultural and geographic boundaries.
Episode 105: “The Bridge” by Marley Marl and MC Shan
A song designed to foster community pride, ignites hop hop’s most epic rap battle.
Episode 106: “Ladies First” by Queen Latifah
At the height of hip hop’s misogynistic themes, the culture bows down to their queens of rap.
