The 5 documentaries about the history of hip hop that you absolutely might see on Youtube

Who says that cool documentaries are only on Netflix? We have selected, in fact, 5 of them about the musical culture of old school American rap, truly unmissable and easily accessible on Youtube

1. The Show

We assure you a trip to the past with just one click. Directed by Brian Robbins, “The Show” is the true story of hip hop at its highlight: 1995. Original footage is part of the documentary, featuring some interviews and some background life, positive and negative, of the pioneers of rap. Biggie, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and the record artist Russel Simmons are just some of the big names in the cast. The artists in “The Show” tell about themselves without filters and make us really reflect on what it means to be a “celebrity” and on how hip pop for them is neither a choice nor a fashion of the time, but it’s a way of living and telling themself.

2. The Art of 16 Bars

Rapper Method Man explains what it really means to be an MC. For example, how does a new demo born? How does the relationship between artists and record companies work? What does freestyle really means? Well, “The Art of 16 Bars” is a real “spiritual guide” that fully answers to all these questions. Moreover, among the absolute protagonists we find: Nas, Jay-Z, Kanye West and more…

3. Just for Kicks

Directed by Thibaut de Longeville and Lisa Leone, two great connoisseurs of American street culture between the 70s and 90s. “Just for Kicks” tells about the relationship between fashion and rap and questions why it’s so connected. The documentary focuses on the transition from fashion brands, from “street brands” as considered by rappers to global luxury phenomenon from 2000s forward. The main point of the docu-film is above the phenomenon of sneakers in the legendary 90s music scene and on how artists were always looking for new models around. Protagonists: the Air Force One, nicknamed “Uptown” in the East Coast, the Adidas Superstar (the favorites of the past) and the legendary Air Jordan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWqwQVL005E

4. The Birth of Biggie: 25 Years of Ready to Die

This is a short movie that contains some interviews with people who worked alongside Notorious B.I.G, as well as exclusive archive photos and voice testimonies of Biggie himself. Although is very short, this is a unique documentary to learn about the story of the album “Ready to Die”, released 26 years ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dsna1nIZzB4&feature=emb_title

5. 40 Years of Hip-Hop

40 years of history told by KRS-One. Who better than him, rapper, writer and activist, can teach about the culture and above all, the roots of hip hop? Through this documentary, KRS-One opens the doors of the rappers’ world from the black community and explains why hip pop often attracts negative criticism. He also makes us reflect on many key concepts of society, such as culture and education. Well, it’s a certainly academic journey, but definitely authentic.