The beats that broke new ground. How hip hop emerged from underground New York into a global force for change and empowerment - as told by icons Chuck D, Ice-T, Run DMC and more.

Public Enemy’s Chuck D leads a cast of hip-hop icons and leading African-American and Latino cultural commentators as they chart the factors that led to the birth of the revolutionary art form of hip-hop in 1970s New York, as well as the creation of the seminal hit The Message.

Chuck D and fellow rap stars chart the devastating impact of the crack epidemic, which becomes the spark that leads to the formation of acts like Public Enemy and NWA.

In the years after the Los Angeles riots of 1992, hip hop was accused of promoting violence and misogyny, all while reaching new commercial success and seeing the rise of a wave of confident female emcees

Chuck D, fellow hip hop stars and cultural commentators tell the story of how the rap industry hits extraordinary heights going into the new millennium, using its power and influence to effect change in ways that were unthinkable when the culture was first born - culminating in the global protests for George Floyd.

Hip hop through the decades from the BBC archives, including the Sugarhill Gang in 1979, Run DMC, LL Cool J and Eric B & Rakim in the 80s, Ice T, Monie Love, Fugees and the Roots in the 90s and concluding with Dr Dre & Eminem, Dizzee Rascal and Jay-Z.

The first episode features Kanye West's Christian rap song Jesus Walks, which challenged the Church and changed ideals about religion and rap music.

Making protest music in the era of Black Lives Matter, Alright becomes the unsaid anthem for hope.

How one song tore down the barriers between rock and hip-hop, race and class on American radio and television.

Hip-hop's southern voice breaks through with an unsuspecting song that redefines rap's cultural and geographic boundaries.

A song designed to foster community pride ignites hip-hop's most epic rap battle.

At the height of hip-hop's misogynistic themes, the culture bows down to their queens of rap.

Breaking barriers. Empowering a culture. Inspiring a movement. Six legendary songs from artists using their music to make change, from Run-DMC, Kanye West, Queen Latifah and more.

Idris Elba reveals the defining moments in street music and culture over the last 35 years, featuring rare archive material, seminal music videos and insight from hip hop stars.

Presented by acclaimed hip hop artist Akala, Life of Rhyme explores spoken word and rap, featuring performances and the story of how the UK scene evolved and developed.

In the late 1980s Public Enemy were the biggest rap group on the planet. Their mission: to raise the consciousness of a generation. With a rebellious attitude to match their militant image they sold millions of records preaching pro-black politics to fans of all races, all done through a groundbreaking wall of noise.

Foul-mouthed Californian hip hop duo Silibil n' Brains were going to be massive. But no-one knew the pair were really amiable Scotsmen, with fake American accents and made up identities. This documentary tells the audacious tale of how two lads from Dundee duped the record industry and nearly destroyed themselves.

Influential. Incredible. Exploited. Stars including Nile Rodgers, Chaka Khan and Ice T reveal how generations of black artists have fought for the rewards their talents deserved.