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The Best Episodes of Hip Hop Evolution

Every episode of Hip Hop Evolution ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Hip Hop Evolution!

Binge this in 11h 59m•Peaking at 8.6/10

Hip-Hop today is a global culture that has changed music, dance, fashion, language —and even politics. But where did this worldwide cultural movement begin? We trace hip-hop back to its humble beginnings, when the kids

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Hip Hop Evolution Season 1 Episode 4 - The Birth of Gangsta Rap
    8.6/10(249 votes)

    #1 - The Birth of Gangsta Rap

    S1:E4

    Ice-T uses Hip-Hop to reflect the violence of Los Angeles and inspires a new form of Hip-Hop: Gangsta Rap. N.W.A’s first album, Straight Outta Compton, shocks America. After the LA Rebellion, Dr. Dre makes The Chronic, and creates Hip-Hop’s first hardcore pop record

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Hip Hop Evolution Season 2 Episode 4 - New York State of Mind
    8.5/10(186 votes)

    #2 - New York State of Mind

    S2:E4

    In the early 1990s, a new wave of hardcore East Coast artists emerges, led by Nas, Wu-Tang Clan and the Notorious B.I.G.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Hip Hop Evolution Season 1 Episode 2 - From The Underground to The Mainstream
    8.4/10(250 votes)

    #3 - From The Underground to The Mainstream

    S1:E2

    Hip-Hop crews in the Bronx and Harlem begin to form around the DJs, but these pioneering groups never record any music. It would take R&B veterans to see the genre’s commercial potential and create Hip-Hop's first hit, "Rapper's Delight."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Hip Hop Evolution Season 3 Episode 1 - A Tale of Two Coasts
    8.4/10(178 votes)

    #4 - A Tale of Two Coasts

    S3:E1

    With the rise of N.W.A., gangsta rap and Suge Knight, the East Coast-West Coast rivalry climaxes with a lethal beef ensnaring the great Tupac Shakur.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Hip Hop Evolution Season 1 Episode 3 - The New Guard
    8.3/10(231 votes)

    #5 - The New Guard

    S1:E3

    Run-DMC ushers in a new era of Hip-Hop. Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin build Hip-Hop's first empire, Def Jam. An unknown producer finds a new way to make beats and launches Hip-Hop's Golden Age, culminating in the epic fury of Public Enemy.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Hip Hop Evolution Season 3 Episode 3 - Pass the Mic
    8.3/10(151 votes)

    #6 - Pass the Mic

    S3:E3

    Alternative hip-hop bubbles up from the streets: Mos Def spits in NYC, the Freestyle Fellowship chops it up in LA, and Eminem battle on the circuit.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 WORST Episodes of Hip Hop Evolution

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  7. Hip Hop Evolution Season 1 Episode 1 - The Foundation
    8.2/10(289 votes)

    #7 - The Foundation

    S1:E1

    Bronx-based DJs set Hip-Hop's sonic foundations. MCs, inspired by African American oral traditions, create the modern template for rap music, culminating with the emergence of Hip-Hop's first crew, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Hip Hop Evolution Season 2 Episode 3 - Do the Knowledge
    8.2/10(174 votes)

    #8 - Do the Knowledge

    S2:E3

    KRS-One makes his mark at New York's legendary Latin Quarter club. A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul cultivate an Afrocentric, jazzy style.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Hip Hop Evolution Season 3 Episode 2 - Life After Death
    8.1/10(167 votes)

    #9 - Life After Death

    S3:E2

    In NYC, the Notorious B.I.G. fosters an empowering protégée, Lil' Kim. When the East-West feud claims Biggie, Puff Daddy and Jay-Z vie for the throne.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Hip Hop Evolution Season 2 Episode 2 - Out the Trunk: The Bay
    8.0/10(181 votes)

    #10 - Out the Trunk: The Bay

    S2:E2

    In the Bay Area, Too $hort channels pimp culture, MC Hammer becomes rap's first pop star, and Digital Underground introduces the world to Tupac Shakur.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Hip Hop Evolution Season 4 Episode 3 - The Super Producers
    8.0/10(128 votes)

    #11 - The Super Producers

    S4:E3

    Auteurs like the Neptunes' Pharrell and Chad expand the sonic palette. Timbaland and Missy Elliott lean forward. Kanye West and J Dilla reimagine rap.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Hip Hop Evolution Season 2 Episode 1 - The Southern Way
    7.8/10(194 votes)

    #12 - The Southern Way

    S2:E1

    2 Live Crew popularizes the Miami bass sound and scores a victory for free speech. The Geto Boys put Houston on the map, paving the way for UGK.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Hip Hop Evolution Season 3 Episode 4 - The Dirty South
    7.8/10(141 votes)

    #13 - The Dirty South

    S3:E4

    A hot, sticky music scene is born in Atlanta as the infectious hooks of TLC and Kris Kross yield to the gritty originality of OutKast and Goodie Mob.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Hip Hop Evolution Season 4 Episode 2 - The Southern Lab
    7.5/10(130 votes)

    #14 - The Southern Lab

    S4:E2

    Innovators explode out of the South: Houston's DJ Screw slows hip-hop down, Memphis's Three 6 Mafia goes dark, and Atlanta's Lil Jon brings the crunk.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Hip Hop Evolution Season 4 Episode 4 - Street Dreams
    7.5/10(111 votes)

    #15 - Street Dreams

    S4:E4

    Mixtapes spread the hottest sounds, infringe copyright and break artists. Among them, 50 Cent polarizes, T.I. takes off with trap, and Lil Wayne clicks.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Hip Hop Evolution Season 4 Episode 1 - Bounce to This
    7.2/10(140 votes)

    #16 - Bounce to This

    S4:E1

    Rooted in New Orleans's rich music culture, No Limit mogul Master P and bounce breakouts DJ Jimi and Juvenile shake rap and put twerking on the map.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Birth of Gangsta Rap" is the best rated episode of "Hip Hop Evolution". It scored 8.6/10 based on 249 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 9/26/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "New York State of Mind".