50 Years of Hip Hop and Social Justice

FEATURING DAVEY D - The origins of Hip Hop–one of the most influential genres of music and culture in the U.S. and globally–can be traced back to 1973 New York. Rising out of Caribbean and African diasporic music influences, DJs used turntables to stretch out the beats in songs for dancers.  

In the 50 years since, Hip Hop has become a formidable global industry, encompassing music, dance, fashion, and a way of life. But its origins, in disenfranchised Black and Brown communities, meant that there was always a strong tendency to speak out against injustice. How has Hip Hop been a vehicle for social and racial justice and cultural power over the past half century?