The Hip Hop Years

The story

The Hip Hop Years is a three part series of one hour television documentaries, made for Channel 4 in 1999.

The series was devised by David Upshal who produced, directed and narrated the series. He also produced the 33-track compilation CD which accompanied the series and co-wrote the book with Alex Ogg, also titled The Hip Hop Years.

The series charts the definitive story of Hip Hop, rising from the streets of the Bronx to become, what Upshal calls, "the new Rock'n'Roll". The programmes combine archive clips and performance from TV, movies and music videos with specially shot material and interviews with key players.

Cast

D Darryl 'DMC' McDanielsSelf I Ice-TSelf F Fab 5 FreddySelf R Russell SimmonsSelf A Afrika BambaataaSelf G Grand Wizard TheodoreSelf C Crazy LegsSelf K Kid FreezeSelf J Jazzy JaySelf H Henry 'Big Bank Hank' JacksonSelf M Michael HolmanSelf R Rick RubinSelf

See more cast

H Hank ShockleeSelf M MC RenSelf T Tone LocSelf M MC HammerSelf V Vanilla IceSelf F Fresh Kid IceSelf B Brother MarquisSelf M Monie LoveSelf J Joe LevySelf S Sean CombsSelf R RZASelf D DJ Kool HercSelf G Grandmaster CazSelf G Grandmaster FlashSelf M Melle MelSelf I Ice CubeSelf E EminemSelf M Marley MarlSelf C Chuck DSelf