Apple Music is celebrating Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary with an Ebro Darden-led audio series called Hip-Hop DNA. The newly launched series will feature 20 episodes that highlight the “people and places that [have] defined the genre.”
“For hip-hop’s 50th, we’re running it back to the very beginning—telling the story of its evolution through a series of audio specials, DJ mixes, and, of course, a handpicked collection of classic records and must-hear playlists,” a statement from Apple Music reads.
To kickstart the series, Apple Music has shared the first three episodes. Hosted by Hot 97’s Ebro Darden, the first episode is called “Step Into A World” and will celebrate “50 years of hip-hop and its evolution.” From there, the series will explore the impact of the Bronx and highlight the ways in which Rock and Rap are connected with episodes like “Bronx Tale” and “Just Wanna Rock.”
Accompanying each episode, Apple Music has appointed a collection of pioneers and curators to compile playlists that highlight the origins of the culture. This week, DJ Kool Herc has put together a set of songs that ties hit records with the funk and soul songs they sampled.
The first set of episodes is currently available via Apple Music. Moving forward, the series will highlight the South, Midwest and West Coast and their contributions to the genre.
50 years of shifting culture. 50 years of spine-chilling bars. 50 years of hip-hop!
We're celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with #HipHopDNA, a new audio series that's diving into the people and places that've defined the genre. Check it out: https://t.co/mFIRmzjXP2 pic.twitter.com/UC10FhNnNA
— Apple Music (@AppleMusic) May 8, 2023
