The Hip Hop Years

7.0

1999•50m

The Hip Hop Years is a three part series of one hour television documentaries, made for Channel 4 in 1999. The series was devised by David Upshal who produced, directed and narrated the series. He also produced the 33-track compilation CD which accompanied the series and co-wrote the book with Alex Ogg, also titled The Hip Hop Years. The series charts the definitive story of Hip Hop, rising from the streets of the Bronx to become, what Upshal calls, "the new Rock'n'Roll". The programmes combine archive clips and performance from TV, movies and music videos with specially shot material and interviews with key players.

Production

Seasons

3 Episodes • Premiered 1999

1. Close To The Edge

Explores the birth of hip-hop and its roots in the 1970's NYC block parties organised by DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa.

2. The New Rock 'n' Roll

Documents the rising popularity of hip-hop through the 1980's and the controversy surrounding the explicit lyrical content of gangsta rap.

3. Hip Hop Nation

The final episode in the series looks at the mid 1990's east coast vs west coast rivalry, the growing commercialisation of hip-hop, and its place at the close of the 20th century as the biggest selling music genre in the United States.