Rock Legends Season 10 Episode 2 New York Hip Hop

As one of the most influential genres in the music industry, hip hop has left an undeniable mark on the world. In this episode of Rock Legends, we take a closer look at the birthplace of hip hop: New York City.

Starting in the late 1970s, young artists in the Bronx began experimenting with a revolutionary new sound. Mixing together funk, soul, and disco beats with spoken word poetry, this new style became known as hip hop. In a city plagued by poverty, crime, and political turmoil, hip hop provided a voice for the voiceless, and a way for young people to express themselves through creative means.

In the early days, hip hop was a small, underground scene, centered around local block parties in the South Bronx. But as the sound grew in popularity, it soon spread to other boroughs of the city, eventually becoming a global phenomenon in the 1980s and 90s.

This episode of Rock Legends features interviews with some of the key figures in the New York hip hop scene, including rapper and actor Ice-T, who rose to fame in the late 80s with his controversial gangsta rap style. Ice-T talks about his early days in Los Angeles, where he first became interested in hip hop, and his move to New York in the mid-80s.

We also hear from DJ Kool Herc, who is widely credited as one of the founders of the hip hop movement. Herc talks about his role in the early days of hip hop, when he would throw block parties in the South Bronx and spin records for crowds of enthusiastic dancers. He also discusses the evolution of the genre over the years, and the challenges faced by hip hop artists trying to break into the mainstream.

Other guests on the show include rapper and producer Fat Joe, who grew up in the South Bronx and became one of the biggest stars of the late 90s and early 2000s, thanks to hits like "What's Luv?" and "Lean Back." Fat Joe discusses how his Puerto Rican heritage influenced his music, and the struggles he faced as a young artist trying to make it in a tough industry.

We also hear from producer and label executive Russell Simmons, who founded Def Jam Recordings in the early 80s with partner Rick Rubin. Def Jam became one of the most successful hip hop labels of all time, launching the careers of artists like LL Cool J, Public Enemy, and Beastie Boys. Simmons talks about the early days of Def Jam, and the challenges he faced as a young entrepreneur trying to build a successful record label.

Throughout the episode, we get a sense of the energy and excitement of the early hip hop scene in New York City. We see footage of legendary rap battles, where MCs would battle it out with rhymes and freestyle skills, trying to impress the crowd and prove their worth as a rapper.

We also hear some of the biggest hip hop hits of all time, including classics from Run-DMC, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, and Nas. These tracks provide a soundtrack to the story of New York hip hop, and show the incredible influence that this genre has had on popular culture over the years.

Overall, this episode of Rock Legends is an informative and entertaining look at the birthplace of hip hop, and the artists who helped to create this groundbreaking genre. Whether you're a longtime fan of hip hop, or just curious about its origins, this episode is sure to be an enjoyable and enlightening experience.