A&E’s ‘Origins Of Hip Hop’ Will Tell the Stories Of Busta Rhymes, Eve, Ice-T & More

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A&E Network has confirmed via Billboard an eight-episode docuseries titled Origins of Hip Hop will premiere on the channel on May 30 at 10 p.m. ET.

The series will focus on many of rap’s greatest talents including Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Eve, Ice-T, Grandmaster Flash, Ja Rule, Uncle Luke and Lil Jon. The first episode will focus on Fat Joe.

Origins of Hip Hop expands our boundary-pushing, non-fiction programming slate and celebrates the artists and sounds that have helped define a genre and culture,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, the evp and head of programming at A&E, in a statement.

“Alongside our partners at Mass Appeal, we are excited to elevate the voices and stories of this incredible group of artists who helped create and continue to shape the genre today.”

The series will be produced by Mass Appeal, with each hour-long episode delving into each artist’s origin story and following their come-up to platinum-selling legends. The series will be narrated by Nas, Mass Appeal Records co-owner, and will feature commentary from all the aforementioned artists. Each episode will also include never before seen footage of all the stars.

The A&E series is the latest rap-focused series to premiere on TV. It comes after Kanye West’s docuseries jeen-yuhs premiered on Netflix in February, and after Kevin Hart announced in February he’d also be co-spearheading a Hip Hop-themed animated series for HBO Max. Titled Storytown, the adult animated series will focus on a troubled kid and his wise grandfather who uses fairytale rap luminaries to teach his grandson life lessons to help the kid turn his life around.

Check out the trailer for Origins of Hip Hop below.

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