Watch Hip-Hop Evolution

Hip-Hop Evolution is a four-part documentary series that premiered on HBO Canada in 2016. The show takes viewers on a journey through the evolution of one of the most popular and influential cultural movements of the past few decades: hip-hop. Each episode of Hip-Hop Evolution is hosted by Shad, an accomplished Canadian rapper and hip-hop artist in his own right. Shad takes on the role of narrator and guide, leading viewers through the history of hip-hop from its earliest days in New York City to the present day.

Throughout the series, Shad interviews a wide range of hip-hop artists, producers, and other figures who played a role in the genre's development. These interviews provide insights into the creative processes, social and political contexts, and personal experiences that helped shape hip-hop into the genre it is today.

One of the key themes of Hip-Hop Evolution is the importance of community and collaboration in hip-hop's development. Shad and his interviewees emphasize the way that hip-hop grew out of the shared experiences of young people in the Bronx and other urban areas, and how it provided a vehicle for them to express their frustrations, hopes, and dreams through music and dance.

The series pays special attention to the early days of hip-hop in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when pioneers like Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Flash, and Kool Herc first began experimenting with breakbeats, scratching, and other techniques that would define the genre. This period is depicted as a time of incredible creativity and innovation, as young people from all walks of life came together to create something new and exciting.

As Hip-Hop Evolution progresses, it moves through the 1980s and into the 1990s, when hip-hop began to expand both musically and culturally. The series features interviews with many of the biggest and most influential hip-hop artists of this era, including LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, and Krs-One. These artists discuss the way that hip-hop became more political and socially conscious in the 1990s, as artists like Public Enemy and N.W.A. began speaking out on issues like police brutality, racism, and poverty.

Hip-Hop Evolution also explores the rise of gangsta rap in the 1990s, as artists like Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. used their music to tell the stories of life on the streets. The series offers a complex and nuanced view of this controversial era, highlighting both the power and the problems of gangsta rap and its associated subcultures.

The final episode of Hip-Hop Evolution brings the story up to the present day, as Shad and his interviewees discuss the state of hip-hop in the 21st century. The series shows how hip-hop has become a global phenomenon, with artists from all over the world incorporating its sounds and styles into their music. It also explores the ongoing debates and controversies within the hip-hop community, as artists grapple with questions of authenticity, commercialization, and the meaning of the genre in an increasingly complex world.

Overall, Hip-Hop Evolution is a fascinating and engaging exploration of one of the most important cultural movements of our time. The series is well-produced and expertly researched, with a strong emphasis on the voices and perspectives of the people who were there at the beginning of hip-hop. Whether you're a longtime fan of the genre or just curious about its history and impact, Hip-Hop Evolution is definitely worth watching.

Hip-Hop Evolution is a series that ran for 4 seasons (16 episodes) between December 4, 2016 and on HBO Canada