The 5 best Â鶹ԼÅÄ hip hop documentaries online now
So, you've caught up on our and indulged in these . Now it's time to look at rap music and the culture of hip hop...
Tupac Shakur, Hip Hop Immortal
" is the quintessential falling star, that only lived for a short period of time but burned like a supernova," says poet Al Letson, presenter of this intriguing Radio 4 documentary - first broadcast in 2014, 18 years after his death. Exploring the complexity of Tupac's life and the battling identities that defined him, Al asks: what is it about Tupac's life that still resonates?
10 Moments That Made Pharrell Williams
In 2014, just as was riding high with Happy, and a year after his monster-smash collaborations with (Get Lucky) and (Blurred Lines), looked back at the and man's distinguished career. The doc features interviews with, Thicke, and, of course, Pharrell himself.
Hip Hop: Back to its Roots
Broadcast last year to mark 30 years of Def Jam records, explores how a musical form created on the streets of New York is making a huge impact in Africa. It's presented by Afua Hirsch and features a stellar cast of interviewees including Def Jam founder, Russell Simmons, as well as , 's Chuck D, and new stars , , and
Jay-Z: From Brooklyn to the Boardroom
On the remix of 's Diamonds From Sierra Leone, raps, "I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man," and this fascinating documentary - first broadcast in 2006, when Jay still had a hyphen in his name - explores the very considerable commercial interests of this Brooklyn native. Much is revealed, such as his clothing company, Rocawear, making a staggering $90m in its first year.
Hip Hop in the Middle East: Rhymes, Revolution and Resistance
In 2011, many people in the Middle East took to the streets to demand change. Revolution was in the air and, as with many revolutions, there was a soundtrack - hip hop. Four years after the start of the Arab Spring, music journalist Jackson Allers met local MCs to ask whether Arabic rap helped to make a difference, and also if political tensions have now divided what was once a united hip hop movement.