9 episodes
Class of '88 with Will Smith Wondery
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- Music
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4.6 • 139 Ratings
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In the US, hip hop reigns as the genre that influences every aspect of our culture. From fashion to film, the dominance of this prolific sound can be traced back to one year - 1988. From Public Enemy to The Fresh Prince, these twelve months gave rise to the superstars and styles that still resonate in songs released today. Through the unique perspective and personal experiences of Will Smith, Class of ’88 reveals the milestone moments, albums and artists that inspired a sonic evolution and secured 1988 as hip hop’s most important year. Rich with archival material, new interviews with hip hop’s biggest stars, and personal recollections from Will himself, Class of ’88 delivers fresh untold stories from the year that hip hop overcame the forces that were hell bent on blocking its rise.
This series features interviews and stories from the revolutionary Artists that impacted that year and many more afterwards, including: Queen Latifah, Jazzy Jeff, DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, Chuck D, Fab Five Freddy, Rakim, Slick Rick, DJ Red Alert, and Rick Rubin.
Listen to Class of '88 wherever you get your podcasts. You can binge the entire series, right now, on the Amazon Music App or Audible.
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The Battle for World Supremacy
In January of 1988, the music industry was treating hip hop like a fad. But that was all about to change – along with the lives of two kids from Philly. Host Will Smith brings us straight into the most pivotal year in hip hop history. It started at the Battle for World Supremacy, the world’s largest DJ competition in NYC. Featured voices: Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff.
Follow Class of ’88 wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to episode 1 everywhere or you can binge the entire series right now on the Amazon Music app or Audible.
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Kings of Rock
Run-DMC were the kings of hip hop. But in 1988, they faced new competition from a generation of artists they had helped inspire. Featured voices: Run-DMC and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.
Follow Class of ’88 wherever you get your podcasts. Listen to episode 1 everywhere or you can binge the entire series right now on the Amazon Music app or Audible. -
Follow The Leader
Hip hop started as a DJ-led medium. But with the rise of rappers like Rakim and Queen Latifah, MC’s were moving to center stage. Featured voices: Queen Latifah, Rakim, and DJ Red Alert.
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Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos
In the summer of 1988, Public Enemy dropped an album that would take them to the top of the charts, to front page news, and even to a stage in New York’s most notorious jail – Rikers Island. Featured voices: Public Enemy and Chuck D.
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Yo! MTV Raps. Finally.
For years, rap music was mostly absent from MTV. But the debut of Yo! MTV Raps changed everything. For better, and for worse. Featured voices: Fab 5 Freddy and Darryl “DMC” McDaniels.
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The Showstoppers
In 1988, Salt-N-Pepa found that they had “crossed over” with their hit song Push It. But success came with its own set of problems, especially for female rappers. Featured voices: Salt-N-Pepa and Roxanne Shante.
Customer Reviews
Brilliant But…
This is so dope. But I would’ve had different host from that hip hop era and not just Will.
Should have been better
Get a better host.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Loved every second of this!! To see the doors that so many people opened makes you wish you were there during that time to see it. Excellent story telling!!