Soundtrack of a revolution

‘Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America’ airs on AMC

By Kyla Brewer TV Media

Music is much more than mere entertainment. From the rebellious rock ‘n’ roll era of the 1950s to the political protest songs of the 1960s and beyond, music has often been reflective of cultural revolution, a sign of the times, if you will. This fall, a new series takes an in-depth look at the history and impact of today’s dominant music genre: hiphop.

Some of the biggest stars of the hip-hop era discuss how the genre has given a voice to a new generation in the new docuseries “Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America,” premiering Sunday, Oct. 13, on AMC. Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter of the Philadelphia-based hip-hop group The Roots serve as executive producers for the series, which takes a look at a different trailblazing song in each episode.

The six-episode series explores the rise of hip-hop, from its humble and sometimes controversial beginnings to its impact on mainstream American culture today. Recording artists walk viewers through the creation of some of the most influential songs of the hip-hop era.

Questlove explained the need for a serious look at the art of hip-hop in a September article on latimes.com.

“Hip-hop was seen as a low-level art form, or not even seen as actual art,” Questlove said. “People now see there’s value in hip-hop, but I feel like that’s based on the millions of dollars it’s generated. Like its value is like that of junk bonds or a Baltic Avenue Monopoly property. A money generator. But there’s a different story that needed to be told.”

The show’s debut episode takes a look at Kanye West’s “Jesus Walks,” became an anthem of hope during the early days of the BlackLivesMatter movement. Rapper Pharrell Williams, the song’s co-producer, talked about the importance of tracing hiphop’s history in a teaser for “Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America” posted on YouTube this past May.

“If we want people to really respect what rap music is, you’ve got to understand its origin,” Williams said. He went on to explain: “Yeah, people have a chip on their shoulder. Yeah, people are upset. And that’s the kind of anger that you’re hearing in this

AMC’s docuseries then jumps back in time, all the way to 1984, to profile Run-DMC’s pioneering release “Rock Box.” The song mixed electric guitar riffs with hip-hop beats, tearing down barriers not only between the two music styles but also between race and class in American media.

Hip-hop duo OutKast broke new ground with the hit “Elevators” in 1996, and “Hip Hop: The

Songs That Shook America” explores how the song redefined the cultural and geographical boundaries of rap.

The show then examines the impact of the 1987 song “The Bridge” by MC Shan and Marley Marl. Intended to foster community pride, the release ignited one of hip-hop’s most famous rap battles between Marl and KRS-One from Boogie Down Productions.

Queen Latifah herself represents the female perspective in AMC’s “Hip Hop.” Her 1989 debut album “All Hail the Queen” featured the song “Ladies First,” a feminist anthem that became a huge hit and challenged misogyny in hip-hop at the time.

These six songs offer TV viewers a sampling of hip-hop’s vast and varied history, something executive producers Quest Love and Black Thought know a lot about. As founding members of eclectic hip-hop group The Roots, which was formed in 1987, they’re well versed in the genre. Known for using live musical instruments to produce their unique hiphop groove, The Roots rose through the ranks of the music industry and currently serve as the house band for “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” They may have achieved mainstream success, but they were part of the early days of the hip-hop revolution, making them well suited to bring the story of hip-hop to television.

Questlove and Black Thought work alongside fellow executive producers Alex Gibney (“Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room,” 2005), Shawn Gee (“SoundClash,” 2014), Stacey Offman (“The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley,” 2019), Richard Perello (“Club Dread,” 2004) and rookie Shea Serrano. “Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America” was co-directed by journalist-turned-filmmaker Erik Parker (“L.A. Burning”) and Emmy-nominated director One9 (“Nas: Time Is Illmatic,” 2014).

With some of the genre’s most influential voices onscreen and behind the scenes including Big Boi, Rev Run, Darryl McDaniels and more, AMC’s new docuseries promises an insider’s look at hip-hop and its impact on modern culture as it explores how six groundbreaking songs gave a voice to a largely unheard population. Find out how hip-hop music has inspired and influenced history in “Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America,” premiering Sunday, Oct. 13, on AMC.

Conan

Everyone’s OK, but yesterday a Delta flight had to make an emergency landing after it dropped 30,000 feet in two minutes. Delta gave every passenger a free round-trip ticket and a new pair of pants.

In Kentucky, a woman was arrested for abandoning six kids at a Walmart. The Walmart spokesperson said, “The minimum is nine.”

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert

I’m not saying attacking Iran is the right thing to do, but I have never heard the commander-in-chief call U.S. military action “dastardly!” “Dastardly” is how you describe a villain in a 1930s two-reeler!

Removing pollution standards makes cars more environmentally friendly in the same way that removing the “poison” label makes arsenic an energy drink.

The Late Late Show with James Corden

A clerical worker in Ireland has now sued his employer for firing him after he skipped 400 days of work over two years. To be fair, he did make a pretty convincing cough sound over the phone.

After being arrested and handcuffed for public intoxication, a Florida couple somehow managed to remove their clothes in the back of a police car and started having sex. Or as that’s also known as in Florida: a wedding.

If there’s one thing this town needs, it’s another delusional narcissist with a fake tan and a bunch of bad ideas. We’re really thin on those here in ol’ Hollywood.

A store cashier in Japan was recently arrested on allegations of stealing the credit card information of 1,300 customers using only his memory. Now I think if you can memorize 1,300 credit card numbers, I think you’ve earned a shopping spree.

Chiropractic is widely recognized as one of the safest drugfree, non-invasive therapies available for the treatment of neuromusculoskeletal complaints. Although chiropractic has an excellent safety record, no health treatment is completely free of potential adverse effects. The risks associated with chiropractic, however, are very small. Many patients feel immediate relief following chiropractic treatment, but some may experience mild soreness, stiffness or aching, just as they do after some forms of exercise. Current research shows that minor discomfort or soreness following spinal manipulation typically fades within 24 hours.

By Jessica Gosse TV Media

WHAT’S NEW ON NETFLIX: “Living With Yourself”

On Friday, Oct. 18, the new existential comedy series “Living With Yourself” premieres on Netflix. Paul Rudd (“Avengers: Endgame,” 2019) stars as Miles, a man who is struggling with his marriage and life at work. In an attempt to improve himself, he has a special treatment at a spa that will supposedly make him a better person, only to discover that a better version of himself is now walking around. Also starring Irish comedian Aisling Bea (“This Way Up”) as his wife, Kate, Miles must figure out how to live with this new version of himself, who’s better than he is in every way. Chaos ensues as Miles becomes increasingly jealous of himself over his work performance and especially his relationship with Kate. “Living With Yourself” truly redefines the concepts of self-loathing and being your own worst enemy in the most hilarious way. Don’t miss the premiere of “Living With Yourself” this Friday on Netflix.

“Baby” Season 2

Season 2 of the controversial Italian drama “Baby” launches Friday, Oct. 18, on Netflix. Season 1 introduced viewers to Chiara (Benedetta Porcaroli “Sconnessi,” 2018) and Ludovica (Alice Pagani “The Poison Rose,” 2019), two teenage girls who are from a wealthy area of Rome and attend an elite school. Being bored with their lives and classmates, the girls begin to live double lives as high-end prostitutes in the city’s underworld. Similar to the Spanish Netflix series “Elite,” “Baby” is a dark teen drama. Watch as the girls balance normal teen life with their promiscuous alter-egos when Season 2 premieres this Friday.

“The House of Flowers” Season 2

The De la Mora family returns in Season 2 of the Spanish comedy series “House of Flowers” (a.k.a. “La Casa de Las Flores”) on Friday, Oct. 18, on Netflix. Inspired by classic telenovelas, Season 1 saw the De la Mora family — which runs a flower shop called “The House of Flowers” — devolve into chaos when the father’s affair and illegitimate daughter came to light. The show’s filled with sibling rivalry, complicated love stories and plenty of drama. Catch up on Season 1 of this dark family comedy just in time for the Season 2 premiere.

“Eli”

Just in time for Halloween comes Netflix’s new horror movie “Eli,” premiering Friday, Oct. 18. “Eli” follows the story of a young boy named Eli (Charlie Shotwell “The Nightingale,” 2018), who has a grave illness. Desperate to find a cure, his parents, played by Max Martini (“The Purge”) and Kelly Reilly (“Yellowstone”), take him to an isolated clinic where Dr. Horn (Lili Taylor, “American Crime”) has promised experimental medical treatments that can help. When Eli suddenly becomes tormented by nightmarish experiences, he begins to question his doctor’s motives. Make sure to add this thrilling movie, premiering Friday, Oct. 18, to your Halloween horror lineup.

“Looking for Alaska”

Another of John Green’s critically acclaimed teen novels has been adapted for the screen, but this time as a TV series. Coming to Hulu on Friday, Oct. 18, “Looking For Alaska” stars Charlie Plummer (“Granite Flats”) as Miles Halter, who, bored of his life at home, leaves for Culver Creek Boarding School in search of the “Great Perhaps.” When he arrives he meets the clever, funny and very attractive Alaska Young (Kristine Froseth, “The Society”), and she pulls him into a world of mischief that launches him towards the “Great Perhaps.” Don’t miss the premiere of this poignant series from writer Josh Schwartz (“Gossip Girl”) that looks at life, death and finding yourself.

WHAT’S NEW ON HULU: “Letterkenny” Season 7

On Monday, Oct. 14, this Canadian comedy series returns to Hulu for a seventh season. Created by Jared Keeso (“19-2”), who not only stars in the series but also acts as executive producer and co-writer, “Letterkenny” follows different groups in the small (fictional) town of Letterkenny, Ontario. The comedy also stars Nathan Dales (“Tower Prep”) and Michelle Mylett (“Buckout Road,” 2017).

Watch the hilarious problems of small-town hicks, hockey players, skids and Catholics when this cult hit returns for Season 7.

WHAT’S NEW ON AMAZON PRIME:

“Modern Love”

A new anthology from writerdirector John Carney (“Begin Again,” 2013), this new series is based on the New York Times column “Modern Love” and premieres Friday, Oct. 18, on Amazon Prime. Don’t be fooled by the upbeat intro of the trailer, which features Captain & Tennile’s “Love Will Keep Us Together,” “Modern Love” covers not just the cheery romantic-comedy view of love, but also the messy sides that include adultery and pregnancy problems. Similar to the original column, which featured essays on romance sent in by readers, the new Prime series will feature eight episodes inspired by eight true stories of romance. Featuring a star-studded cast that includes Anne Hathaway (“The Hustle,” 2019), Tina Fey (“Saturday Night Live”), Dev Patel (“Hotel Mumbai,” 2018), Julia Garner (“Ozark”), Andy Garcia (“Book Club,” 2018), Catherine Keener (“Kidding”) and John Slattery (“Spotlight,” 2015), the eightepisode romantic anthology will have you laughing one moment and crying the next.

Bond ... James Bond