Main content

The birth of hip hop

The story of early hip hop in the 1970s and '80s. DJ Trevor Nelson talks to hip hop historian Mark Anthony Neal, film-maker Michael Holman and Grandmaster Caz.

The story of early hip hop, from 1970s 'block parties' in the South Bronx to the next decade when some musicians used rap for harsh social critique while others looked to it for big commercial success. Trevor Nelson talks to Duke University hip hop historian Mark Anthony Neal, film-maker and impresario Michael Holman, and one of the central figures in early hip hop, Grandmaster Caz.

DJ and MC Grandmaster Caz is one of the most important and influential pioneers of old school rap. Mark Anthony Neal is professor of African and African American Studies and the founding director of the Center for Arts, Digital Culture and Entrepreneurship at Duke University. Michael Holman is a leading New York hip-hop activist: musician, filmmaker, artist manager, club promoter, journalist and critic, television producer, archivist, visual artist, and educator.

(Photo: A breakdancer. Credit: Getty Images)

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Wed 15 Feb 2017 02:06GMT

Music Played

  • Eric B. & Rakim

    Eric B is President

  • James Brown

    Give It Up or Turnit a Loose

  • DJ Hollywood

    Shock Shock the House

  • 鲍鈥怰辞测

    Version Galore

  • James Brown

    Funky President

  • James Brown

    Get on the Good Foot

  • The O鈥橨ays

    Love Train

  • Grover Washington, Jr.

    Mister Magic

  • Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

    The Adventures Of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel

  • Kurtis Blow

    The Breaks

  • MFSB

    Love is the Message

  • The Sugarhill Gang

    Rapper鈥檚 Delight

  • Funky 4 + 1

    That鈥檚 the Joint

  • Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

    The Message

  • Stevie Wonder

    Living for the City

  • Dennis Alcapone

    Muhammad Ali

  • Gil Scott鈥怘eron

    The Revolution Will Not be Televised

  • 搁耻苍鈥怐.惭.颁. vs Jason Nevins

    It's Like That

  • 搁耻苍鈥怐.惭.颁.

    Sucker M.C.'s

  • 搁耻苍鈥怐.惭.颁.

    Christmas in Hollis

  • Cold Crush Brothers

    At the Dixie

  • Roxanne Shant茅

    Roxanne's Revenge

  • 厂补濒迟鈥怤鈥怭别辫补

    Push it

  • Eric B. & Rakim

    I Know You Got Soul

  • Schoolly D

    PSK, What Does it Mean?

  • Eric B. & Rakim

    Paid in Full

  • DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince

    Parents Just Don't Understand

Links and Further Reading





Broadcasts

  • Mon 13 Feb 2017 02:06GMT
  • Mon 13 Feb 2017 04:06GMT
  • Mon 13 Feb 2017 05:06GMT
  • Tue 14 Feb 2017 09:06GMT
  • Tue 14 Feb 2017 12:06GMT
  • Tue 14 Feb 2017 23:06GMT
  • Wed 15 Feb 2017 02:06GMT

Featured in...

Podcast