Hip-Hop Evolution
By Dana Anderson,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Frank, fascinating history of a music genre, culture shift.
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Hip-Hop Evolution
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What's the Story?
The Bronx in the 1970s sets the scene for the beginning of HIP-HOP EVOLUTION. Through archival video footage and photos, interviews with music scholars, industry experts, and historic hip-hop heroes, viewers travel through the stages of the development of the genre. Narrator/rapper Shad takes viewers on a look back at historic influences from jazz, film, and radio DJs; innovations in how turntables and other music-recording and -playing tools were used; new forms of dance; and coast-to-coast variations. The final episode ends with the mainstream acceptance of rap in American pop culture.
Is It Any Good?
For teens and adults who love rap music, or for anyone interested in the creation of new art forms, this is a terrific documentary. It shows how in the early days of hip-hop, it was part community organizing against gang violence, part alternative to disco party. Later rap became a freedom-of-speech lightning rod, as the Justice Department accused rappers of inciting violence, while gangsta artists said they were simply portraying their real lives. Hip-Hop Evolution explains how artists used music "as a weapon against oppression."
On the flip side, rap as house-party anthems for "drinking, smoking, girls, and forget about your problems" is also portrayed with little context about negative impacts of drug and alcohol glorification. One other disappointment: the lack of female voices in a documentary about a genre to whose development women artists also contributed and which has been criticized as misogynistic. Overall, though, Hip-Hop Evolution is an entertaining, informative look back at a culture-changing genre.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the people and artists Hip-Hop Evolution chose to talk about the development of the genre. Did it leave out any artists it should have included?
Talk with your teen about how music can shape individuals and culture, positively and negatively.
What other genres of music does your teen like? Find media resources to learn more about its development and pioneers, too.
TV Details
- Premiere date: December 1, 2016
- Cast: Russell Simmons , Grandmaster Flash , Shad
- Network: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Arts and Dance , Music and Sing-Along
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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