AMC’S HIP HOP: THE SONGS THAT SHOOK AMERICA SPECIAL PREMIERE EVENT AT WORLD-FAMOUS APOLLO THEATER
Creative Team behind Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America: executive producers Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter, Alex Gibney, Shawn Gee, Angie Day, Rich Perello, Shea Serrano; Directors Erik Parker and One9. Special guests included Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels, “Growing Up Hip Hop: New York” cast members Lil Mama and her brother Arnstar, Flavor Flav’s son William Drayton Jr, Irv Gotti’s daughter Angie Pearson, and well-known hip-hop manager Madina Milana also attended the celebration.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Angie Day, One9, Ahmir ‘Questlove’ Thompson , Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter, Shawn Gee, Shea Serrano and Erik Parker attend “Hip Hop: Songs that Shook America” Screening/Event at The Apollo Theater on October 07, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for AMC)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: A choir performs at “Hip Hop: Songs that Shook America” Screening/Event at The Apollo Theater on October 07, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for AMC)
Questlove and Black Thought kicked off the night with an introduction of Hip Hop: The Songs That Shook America to a packed house at the Apollo. Executive producer Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson called the series “a labor of love,” and Tariq “Black Thought” Trotter shared his excitement for “being able to tell the stories of the culture.” After the audience enjoyed a screening of the premiere episode, “Jesus Walks,” they were surprised with a live performance by the ARC (Addicts Rehabilitation Center) choir, who are responsible for the gospel track Kanye West sampled for his hit song. The emotional performance received a standing ovation by the moved crowd. Keeping everyone on their feet, The Roots joined the stage to bring the house down with a lively performance that included special guest, hip hop royalty Darryl “DMC” McDaniels of RUN DMC.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Sean Kirkland, Niatia Kirkland, Angie Pearson and William Drayton attend “Hip Hop: Songs that Shook America” Screening/Event at The Apollo Theater on October 07, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for AMC)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 07: Tariq ‘Black Thought’ Trotter and Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels perform at “Hip Hop: Songs that Shook America” Screening/Event at The Apollo Theater on October 07, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images for AMC)
Below is a sneak peak of the 1st episode: