Fourth season now and no love for guys like Twista, Tech, Do Or Die, Or Bone thugs-n-harmony? Disappointing there.
25 Reviews
No love for the Midwest?
Jonhall8317 January 2020
Well done mini series (documentary)
kosmasp27 October 2017
Some have mistaken the movie that was compiled and cut together from this series as the actual series. The movie played at some festivals and has a condensed view. I imagine it still is good, but hopefully some people who mixed those two up, will not confuse others. So if you are here for the longer run (it's almost 3 hours long, split into 4 episodes), you are in for a treat.
Though even that running time cannot cover everything, it does cover really interesting points in the history of how this became a cultural phenomenon. It's not just an evolution, but also a revolution at times. And it's really nice that the whole thing has a time-line and starts from the beginning, going towards the the newer age of hip hop. There are quite a few artists who get to say how it was for them and there is a lot of trivia shared. It's more broad in that way, which it has to be, because if covers not just one style. So while this may not be definitive and you may not find your favorite artist in this, it is one of the best looks inside and beyond Hip Hop
Edit: Just watched the second season. And while I didn't expect one to come (2 years after the initial season was made), it is as good as one would imagine. In-Depth and a lot of interviews and background information. You can feel the love through the screen
Edit 2: even more seasons and maybe no end in sight? I wouldn't mind, because the quality is there and the interviewer as someone in the game himself, knows what he talks and asks others about! Even if the Biggie and Pac thing has to be condensed it finally gets spoken about to here. But there's also the dirty south and so many more things, that as a rap fan you may have heard about or are at least interesting enough for those who did not live back then to experience now.
Though even that running time cannot cover everything, it does cover really interesting points in the history of how this became a cultural phenomenon. It's not just an evolution, but also a revolution at times. And it's really nice that the whole thing has a time-line and starts from the beginning, going towards the the newer age of hip hop. There are quite a few artists who get to say how it was for them and there is a lot of trivia shared. It's more broad in that way, which it has to be, because if covers not just one style. So while this may not be definitive and you may not find your favorite artist in this, it is one of the best looks inside and beyond Hip Hop
Edit: Just watched the second season. And while I didn't expect one to come (2 years after the initial season was made), it is as good as one would imagine. In-Depth and a lot of interviews and background information. You can feel the love through the screen
Edit 2: even more seasons and maybe no end in sight? I wouldn't mind, because the quality is there and the interviewer as someone in the game himself, knows what he talks and asks others about! Even if the Biggie and Pac thing has to be condensed it finally gets spoken about to here. But there's also the dirty south and so many more things, that as a rap fan you may have heard about or are at least interesting enough for those who did not live back then to experience now.
Unexhaustive but illuminating divulgence into the history of hip-hop
maxhealy4 December 2016
I really enjoyed this series documenting different periods in the formation of hip-hop. Although I feel like it didn't necessarily do enough to describe the anger and philosophy that was a huge part of hip-hop (except during its parts about the Message and gangsta rap), it provided a fairly well-rounded historical analysis of the musical interplay that allowed the form to progress, to grow richer and more varied, and to move beyond the party music of the late 70s to a more socially conscious art-form.
The most important and enriching aspect of this show is the commentary provided by hip-hop legends and people who were there, as well as how it shines light on some unsung heroes of early rap music. It was extremely watchable and interesting, and I can't wait until Season 2 when it delves into the 90s and hip-hop explodes and becomes the cultural juggernaut that it is today.
The most important and enriching aspect of this show is the commentary provided by hip-hop legends and people who were there, as well as how it shines light on some unsung heroes of early rap music. It was extremely watchable and interesting, and I can't wait until Season 2 when it delves into the 90s and hip-hop explodes and becomes the cultural juggernaut that it is today.
A great collection of hip hop history.
dude-6655031 December 2018
Today's generation need to understand the roots and history of hip Hop and I feel this documentary does a good job of showing how hip hop developed within its own lifespan. I'm happy there wasn't too much emphasis on the pac/biggie quarrel and program really shows you where hip hop started from. Only down point to this is I feel there should have been a series 3 to cover more content about hip hop.
Where's the love for Bone-Thugs???
krislynnelyons2 April 2021
So far, I love this documentary, but I'm literally just waiting for them to feature Bone-Thugs-N-Harmony! Seriously, when they came out, it was a sound like nothing I ever heard before. The flow of these guys was incredible! They really didn't play them on MTV, so as a kid I would watch the JukeBox channel to see if people would order it and try to listen to it over and over and over again. It was the most ordered video at the time, all day, everyday! I just can't understand how this group could have been overlooked! Total injustice to the world of hip-hop! They keep saying..."Ain't nobody ever heard a sound like that before!" While this is true with so many groups, this could not be more true about Bone for sure! Very disappointed they didn't get the props they so rightfully deserved!
Hip-Hop 101
view_and_review28 February 2017
Hip-hop was my life growing up, as it was the life of so many around me. My earliest memories were Run DMC, Kurtis Blow and the Beastie Boys. In fact, I remember trying to "scratch" on my mom's record player because of hip-hop. So to see this four part tribute to its origins was just magnificent.
The team that put this together went back to the genesis: Bronx, New York. They started with the underground parties of Kool Herc and progressed through the timeline from there stopping at the contributions of Afrika Bambata, The Furious Five, The Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC and others.
What cannot be overlooked is the contribution of Grandmaster Flash. What he did for hip-hop was nothing short of wizardry. He was a scientist when it came to mixing and spinning two turntables. I was floored to hear about how he started and what he started with. It was amazing to hear about a music style that blossomed in the 80's but can really be traced to a time period well before that.
I think anyone that has a serious interest in hip-hop should watch this documentary. It was somewhat nostalgic for me because many of the artists mentioned and interviewed were artists I enjoyed as a kid. I was slightly disappointed that some--what I consider pioneers--were not mentioned. Those like KRS One, Fat Boys, Doug E Fresh, Whodini, Salt-N-Pepa, Slick Rick and more. I also would have liked to see hip-hop's first entry into movies as I remember Krush Groove, Breakin' and Beat Street.
Even with those absences I was impressed. There's only so much you can cover anyway and I know they tried to hit the highlights. It is still a seminal work that has paved the way for even broader endeavors. This was an essential lesson in hip-hop 101 that has no substitute at this time.
The team that put this together went back to the genesis: Bronx, New York. They started with the underground parties of Kool Herc and progressed through the timeline from there stopping at the contributions of Afrika Bambata, The Furious Five, The Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC and others.
What cannot be overlooked is the contribution of Grandmaster Flash. What he did for hip-hop was nothing short of wizardry. He was a scientist when it came to mixing and spinning two turntables. I was floored to hear about how he started and what he started with. It was amazing to hear about a music style that blossomed in the 80's but can really be traced to a time period well before that.
I think anyone that has a serious interest in hip-hop should watch this documentary. It was somewhat nostalgic for me because many of the artists mentioned and interviewed were artists I enjoyed as a kid. I was slightly disappointed that some--what I consider pioneers--were not mentioned. Those like KRS One, Fat Boys, Doug E Fresh, Whodini, Salt-N-Pepa, Slick Rick and more. I also would have liked to see hip-hop's first entry into movies as I remember Krush Groove, Breakin' and Beat Street.
Even with those absences I was impressed. There's only so much you can cover anyway and I know they tried to hit the highlights. It is still a seminal work that has paved the way for even broader endeavors. This was an essential lesson in hip-hop 101 that has no substitute at this time.
I love it, but...
miinty28 October 2018
Based on the first season, I love this series... It's just so entertaining!
I'm sure some stuff is being fast forwarded and glossed over, but for what it is... I am thoroughly entertained and informed...
My only gripe is that when Shad roll up and meets one of the OGs, I wish there was some teeny, tiny way to infer a small passage of time, because he rolls up, shakes hands, says hi, then immediately goes, "Let's start with when you got together with so and so.."
It's minor, I know, and I know it's (probably) not the reality of the meetings/interviews, but it's playing like he says hi and hits them with the question - so cold.
Does that make sense?? Like, am I the only one who's taking it like that??
My only gripe is that when Shad roll up and meets one of the OGs, I wish there was some teeny, tiny way to infer a small passage of time, because he rolls up, shakes hands, says hi, then immediately goes, "Let's start with when you got together with so and so.."
It's minor, I know, and I know it's (probably) not the reality of the meetings/interviews, but it's playing like he says hi and hits them with the question - so cold.
Does that make sense?? Like, am I the only one who's taking it like that??
great documentary
comicartfiend15 November 2018
A must for hip hop heads. Truly appreciate this program and hope they continue with some more episodes. Would love to see a episode on the artists whose breaks were used and what they thought about their music being repurposed. Very entertaining I mowed through the episodes and hope they do more.
High level hip-hop for the new guy, leaves the knowledgeable guy unfulfilled
hunternieto18 September 2019
There is a lot here and covers the basic of a lot of hip-hop, but misses the opportunity to talk about so many influential artists in the geographic locations they cover. Docu-series is very well made a produced, really great interviews.
Just call it what it is for a change.
johngrimes2159 December 2018
This show is a fantastic look at Hip Hop with the same character flaw suffered by every bit of media on the subject - the prevailing thought that all roads lead back to New York.
Just call it what it is for a change, please.
The Evolution Of NEW YORK Hip Hop (and a smattering of other Hip-Hop hubs as long as they're not LA)
This series is now 8 episodes deep and yet only ONE episode gives attention to LA. Hell even the episode they did on the Bay Area kept insisting on how they owed their roots to New York. East coast hip hop culturalists and journalists will never miss an opportunity to make every other hip hop epicenter seem like a pale comparison of NY, just a bunch of people who appropriated the culture from the true artists in the five boroughs. Houston, LA, Seattle, St Lou, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte...they're all just imitators. Some better than others but imitators nonetheless.
As an example, in episode 8, they spend the entire episode talking about the rise of Nas, Wu-Tang, and Biggie at a time when West Coast Hip Hop was CLEANING UP on the charts. They even admit that New York was struggling trying to reinvent themselves after their short-lived Afro-Centric movement burned bright and died quickly. But when they mention that the West Coast was on top, it's only to set the stage as to why Biggie became the savior of New York Hip Hop.
And THAT is why west coast hip hop fans dislike east coast hip hop so much. It's not the music. It's the attitude. New Yorkers are so busy telling everyone else how great they are that they can't spare the time to admit how great west coast rap was. It's as if they're feeling forced to defend how bad east coast rap got before west coast rap forced them to step up their game.
Truth?? This is a great documentary. But it's a great documentary about east coast hip hop. So much of what's a part of the fabric of hip hop is now tied up all over this country, from St. Louis and Atlanta to Miami, Chicago and Detroit to Houston, and yes New York to Los Angeles, that making a doc called the "Evolution" of hip hop without admitting that the current incarnation is a product of ALL points is just flat disingenuous. It smacks of a group still hanging their hat on some great thing they did in high school that still makes them cool at 50. Hey New York. Don't be like Melle Mel, old as hell and still claiming that you deserve respect for starting something that has long since outgrown you. Accept the praise graciously as the progenitors for a change and start talking up those who've taken it farther than you ever dreamed...no matter which borough or major city they come from.
But yeah, give it a watch. You'll learn more about a bunch of marginal New York rappers than you ever thought you would or even wanted to know.
Just call it what it is for a change, please.
The Evolution Of NEW YORK Hip Hop (and a smattering of other Hip-Hop hubs as long as they're not LA)
This series is now 8 episodes deep and yet only ONE episode gives attention to LA. Hell even the episode they did on the Bay Area kept insisting on how they owed their roots to New York. East coast hip hop culturalists and journalists will never miss an opportunity to make every other hip hop epicenter seem like a pale comparison of NY, just a bunch of people who appropriated the culture from the true artists in the five boroughs. Houston, LA, Seattle, St Lou, Atlanta, Miami, Charlotte...they're all just imitators. Some better than others but imitators nonetheless.
As an example, in episode 8, they spend the entire episode talking about the rise of Nas, Wu-Tang, and Biggie at a time when West Coast Hip Hop was CLEANING UP on the charts. They even admit that New York was struggling trying to reinvent themselves after their short-lived Afro-Centric movement burned bright and died quickly. But when they mention that the West Coast was on top, it's only to set the stage as to why Biggie became the savior of New York Hip Hop.
And THAT is why west coast hip hop fans dislike east coast hip hop so much. It's not the music. It's the attitude. New Yorkers are so busy telling everyone else how great they are that they can't spare the time to admit how great west coast rap was. It's as if they're feeling forced to defend how bad east coast rap got before west coast rap forced them to step up their game.
Truth?? This is a great documentary. But it's a great documentary about east coast hip hop. So much of what's a part of the fabric of hip hop is now tied up all over this country, from St. Louis and Atlanta to Miami, Chicago and Detroit to Houston, and yes New York to Los Angeles, that making a doc called the "Evolution" of hip hop without admitting that the current incarnation is a product of ALL points is just flat disingenuous. It smacks of a group still hanging their hat on some great thing they did in high school that still makes them cool at 50. Hey New York. Don't be like Melle Mel, old as hell and still claiming that you deserve respect for starting something that has long since outgrown you. Accept the praise graciously as the progenitors for a change and start talking up those who've taken it farther than you ever dreamed...no matter which borough or major city they come from.
But yeah, give it a watch. You'll learn more about a bunch of marginal New York rappers than you ever thought you would or even wanted to know.
Loved it
pankajnegi-3874210 December 2018
An exciting journey about the birth of a new art form
roxana_haloiu18 January 2017
I am not a hip-hop connoisseur but this documentary made me dive deeper into this remarkable genre.
Here is another testimony that, when people are facing hardship, there is a hunger for art and people are going to get down and cook some for themselves. Music and lyrics become nourishment but also the weapon against a corrupt system. The film was cleverly cut, the editing working as a metaphor which often illustrates opposing views.
Hip- Hop Evolution manages to balance out the history and the atmosphere of that time with a presenter that adds a combination of enthusiasm and humbleness to the mix. Pertinent questions unveil gems of knowledge coming from the pioneers of hip-hop.
Here is another testimony that, when people are facing hardship, there is a hunger for art and people are going to get down and cook some for themselves. Music and lyrics become nourishment but also the weapon against a corrupt system. The film was cleverly cut, the editing working as a metaphor which often illustrates opposing views.
Hip- Hop Evolution manages to balance out the history and the atmosphere of that time with a presenter that adds a combination of enthusiasm and humbleness to the mix. Pertinent questions unveil gems of knowledge coming from the pioneers of hip-hop.
Incomplete for now
atlazo200317 May 2017
I expect season 2 episode 1 to be all about Tupac, 2Pac, Makaveli, and Pac. It would be nice to see Dre and Snoop contribute to this informative documentary that abruptly ended, but somehow I doubt it. There are nearly 3 more decades to cover. If there is no season 2 it will be a crying shame.
A great look into how hip hop/rap music came to be but needs more
trumptight211 December 2016
I really enjoyed this look into the origins of hip hops origins, from the instrumentation to the fashion everything is covered really well. My only problem with it is it ends without mentioning 2 of the biggest evolutions in hip hop history and that's The Notorious BIG and Tupc Shakur, my guess is that they're saving that content for hopefully a second season but right now this is just missing a big story. To be fair though both of those men have passed so the information needed to really get a solid amount of history is gone.
I would also love for a potential second season to talk about the rise of Southern hip hop and the explosion of what is now the driving force of what hip hop is to this day. Outside of that I really liked this, one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. I would recommend Ice-T's the Art of Rap documentary to anyone that enjoyed this also very good.
I would also love for a potential second season to talk about the rise of Southern hip hop and the explosion of what is now the driving force of what hip hop is to this day. Outside of that I really liked this, one of the best documentaries I've ever seen. I would recommend Ice-T's the Art of Rap documentary to anyone that enjoyed this also very good.
Brilliant & insightful, all done with a light-touch
Helebo1 July 2021
I really loved this series. For me Shad has a brilliantly low-key and easy style with the people he's speaking to; a lovely way of really getting them talking. As a fellow rapper it's clear he's passionate about the subject and genuinely engaged in the conversations.
BUT as a major fan of the genre since the early nineties the one thing that feels to have been significantly overlooked in my mind is female rappers/ mc's. You'd think ladies really didn't play much of a part in this world.
Queen Latifah, Lil' Kim, Rah Diggah, TLC, Missy and her partnership with Timberland are all briefly touched on, but it really is brief and not representative of their influence on the industry. Tbh arguably one of the biggest female rappers Lil' Kim is mainly on there to talk about Biggie and not her own artistry.
Also what about Foxy Brown, Eve, Salt 'n' Peppa (& Spinderella), Lauryn Hill etc? Let's have some more episodes with a focus on this please :-). Also no Arrested Development?
Just means you'll have to make more, it's a win-win ;-)
BUT as a major fan of the genre since the early nineties the one thing that feels to have been significantly overlooked in my mind is female rappers/ mc's. You'd think ladies really didn't play much of a part in this world.
Queen Latifah, Lil' Kim, Rah Diggah, TLC, Missy and her partnership with Timberland are all briefly touched on, but it really is brief and not representative of their influence on the industry. Tbh arguably one of the biggest female rappers Lil' Kim is mainly on there to talk about Biggie and not her own artistry.
Also what about Foxy Brown, Eve, Salt 'n' Peppa (& Spinderella), Lauryn Hill etc? Let's have some more episodes with a focus on this please :-). Also no Arrested Development?
Just means you'll have to make more, it's a win-win ;-)
Most Excellent Documentary
wlevyiii11 February 2020
I watch documentaries on and off. Most don't keep me interested for 90 min so I wasn't keen on watching one with multiple seasons. However, I finally decided to watch it last week and now I have finished all four seasons. I was so bummed out to realize I was finished. What a great history lesson for anyone who loves music and hip hop!! I grew up during all of this and lived in the LA area so my perspective was really one sided. It was so informative to hear how it started in NYC - which I knew but not the full story - then to get up to speed on all the other areas of the country; and styles that spawned. In the first few episodes I created me a "Hip Hop Archive" playlist and as I learned of artists I must have added 200 songs!
Great job and I can't wait for the next season
Great job and I can't wait for the next season
An Honest Review
generationofswine28 January 2019
OK, in the title it has the word EVOLUTION.
Unfortunately it's broken into regions. East and west and Chicago and Atlanta and...
That doesn't work for someone like me that really doesn't follow hip-hop, but loves most music and wants to learn about it's evolution.
Here and there you get little beeds on knoweldge, like how it originated from Funk, how a lot of the stars I have heard about came from this or that club, how it has roots with the Black Panthers...
...but none of that is presented in a way that you can look at the series and understand how it moved to become what it is.
I mean, I am from the 90s, I understand the East Coast/West Coast thing. I get that, but I also get that hip-hop had to originate and evolve to even get to that, and that evolution is why I watched the series.
It's cool that I learned things about an art form I really don't pay attention to, I just wish they would have on how hip-hop actually evolved as a whole before they did the regional thing.
Unfortunately it's broken into regions. East and west and Chicago and Atlanta and...
That doesn't work for someone like me that really doesn't follow hip-hop, but loves most music and wants to learn about it's evolution.
Here and there you get little beeds on knoweldge, like how it originated from Funk, how a lot of the stars I have heard about came from this or that club, how it has roots with the Black Panthers...
...but none of that is presented in a way that you can look at the series and understand how it moved to become what it is.
I mean, I am from the 90s, I understand the East Coast/West Coast thing. I get that, but I also get that hip-hop had to originate and evolve to even get to that, and that evolution is why I watched the series.
It's cool that I learned things about an art form I really don't pay attention to, I just wish they would have on how hip-hop actually evolved as a whole before they did the regional thing.
Raw journey
gemma-stehlik-667-66510924 September 2019
The art form of the streets.
damianfsnow26 January 2020
This Hip Hop documentary is for everyone. It explain it's routes and it expands and covers the history of when it began and why and the social impact this art form had on the streets. I feel alive when I'm watching and I'm reliving and feeling the history of hip hop and It's development whilst I'm watching it! It's a must see.
Great insight
acx786-110 September 2021
Great insight - especially into the early years. Even the 80's and 90's, good snapshot of what went on.
Missing though, as in not even a mention of Bone Thugs, Nore, Redman, (who was visible in a few shots), Jada (and rest of The Lox), Big Pun, Foxy Brown, Scarface, The Game and not to mention after Pac and Biggie, came DMX!!
No mention of Nas' later albums and only 5 mins of the WU!!
They're all part of the evolution.....which has now passed.
Missing though, as in not even a mention of Bone Thugs, Nore, Redman, (who was visible in a few shots), Jada (and rest of The Lox), Big Pun, Foxy Brown, Scarface, The Game and not to mention after Pac and Biggie, came DMX!!
No mention of Nas' later albums and only 5 mins of the WU!!
They're all part of the evolution.....which has now passed.
Awesome breakdown of hip-hop history
Christopher_Reid11 December 2021
From the slums of Shaolin to the west coast, southern rap and everything in between, Hip-Hop Evolution covers some of the most popular hip-hop sub-genres over the past several decades.
I'm no musicologist, but this documentary seems to be reasonably thorough with the time it has. No sides are taken when it comes to beefs or different styles of hip-hop. They're all given credit for their influence and ideas.
Shad, himself an ill MC, seems to take a sincere interest in every aspect of hip-hop and appreciate everyone he interviews. He makes the atmosphere very positive without sounding like he's just sucking up to people or promoting them for money.
Many of the interviewees are interesting, rarely filtering their opinions. Obviously, a lot of them had run-ins with crime and family issues and hip-hop was a healthy escape from that and more legitimate way to make money.
Some of the genres don't impress me so much, sounding more like just shouting or doing drugs and nothing else, but every area seems to have at least a few dope groups and songs. My heart's in New York though - Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep, Nas, Gang Starr, Black Moon, etc.
I highly recommend this well produced trip through memory lane for any fan of hip-hop. I learned plenty from it and enjoyed the beats and feel of the times that it captures.
I'm no musicologist, but this documentary seems to be reasonably thorough with the time it has. No sides are taken when it comes to beefs or different styles of hip-hop. They're all given credit for their influence and ideas.
Shad, himself an ill MC, seems to take a sincere interest in every aspect of hip-hop and appreciate everyone he interviews. He makes the atmosphere very positive without sounding like he's just sucking up to people or promoting them for money.
Many of the interviewees are interesting, rarely filtering their opinions. Obviously, a lot of them had run-ins with crime and family issues and hip-hop was a healthy escape from that and more legitimate way to make money.
Some of the genres don't impress me so much, sounding more like just shouting or doing drugs and nothing else, but every area seems to have at least a few dope groups and songs. My heart's in New York though - Wu-Tang, Mobb Deep, Nas, Gang Starr, Black Moon, etc.
I highly recommend this well produced trip through memory lane for any fan of hip-hop. I learned plenty from it and enjoyed the beats and feel of the times that it captures.
Love the series
kovesdirenato-246182 February 2020
Re-watchable.
mepower-5457913 April 2021
COOL AND INTERESTING!
AlexanderGGA0113 May 2021
Love it just one question
nevajana16 February 2022
I loved watching every minute of this. It gathers everyone that is still alive and does extensive interviews about the music, the times, etc. If you love rap/hip hop, you have to watch this.
I just want to know why Slick Rick and "the human beat box", Doug E. Fresh weren't mentioned or if I missed that? La Di Da Di is *the most sampled* song in all of hip hop/rap and The Show is probably the second most sampled. Or maybe I've got it backwards? Either way, Snoop was the first rapper to remake another rapper's song (La Di Da Di) and everyone samples Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (Biggie's, "Hypnotize"; MIssy Elliott samples them in her music). I mean, the most sampled song in all of rap deserves mention and Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick...again, did I miss any mention of them?
But this is still a most incredible docuseries that needed to be made and is the best thing I've seen on the history of rap.
I just want to know why Slick Rick and "the human beat box", Doug E. Fresh weren't mentioned or if I missed that? La Di Da Di is *the most sampled* song in all of hip hop/rap and The Show is probably the second most sampled. Or maybe I've got it backwards? Either way, Snoop was the first rapper to remake another rapper's song (La Di Da Di) and everyone samples Doug E. Fresh and Slick Rick (Biggie's, "Hypnotize"; MIssy Elliott samples them in her music). I mean, the most sampled song in all of rap deserves mention and Doug E. Fresh & Slick Rick...again, did I miss any mention of them?
But this is still a most incredible docuseries that needed to be made and is the best thing I've seen on the history of rap.
See also
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