A new documentary paying homage to the marriage between Hip Hop and House music — and the Chicago pioneers that made it possible — has just been released as a three-part, on demand series.
In Our DNA: Hip House — a collaborative effort between the Black Experience on Xfinity channel and 300 Studios — was released on Thursday (December 7), with a premiere in Chicago at the historic Vic Theater. The film is now streaming exclusively on the Black Experience channel and on Xumo.
Because it is the story of two genres coming together and the many people who helped bring forth the fusion now affectionately called Hip House, In Our DNA is described by Fusicology as showing “a togetherness not often seen in music docs. Ones that focus on a person, or city.
“This series is led by a cast of many great creators, and they’re all praising each other,” the platform’s review continues. “So many legends of House & Hip Hop and Hip House, each with stories you’ve probably never heard before.”
In a trailer shared by Kevin Liles, Chairman and CEO of 300 Elektra Entertainment, pioneers including Chicago legend Fast Eddie quickly take viewers from the origins of Hip-House to an acknowledgment of its continued existence today, thanks to the dance movement that has permeated TikTok for the last couple of years.
Check out the trailer below.
According to a press release about the film explains that, beyond the “unique conditions in the 1970s and 1980s” that gave rise to both Hip Hop and House Music independently, and the eventual melding of the two genres, this project examines the business behind the art and culture as well.
While the first aspect of the series is about the people, music and movements that came out of that era, especially in Chicago; another aspect will “will also spotlight the long-lasting impact on contemporary music, the paths that Hip Hop and House ultimately took.”
In Our DNA: Hip House also takes a close look at the wide financial difference between those artists who made it to the mainstream, and those who remained underground. As hinted in the trailer, the documentary also explores the future of Hip House as Hip Hop music itself pushes past its first 50 years.
“300 Studios is dedicated to finding and telling unique stories about our unsung heroes throughout our culture,” said Liles in a statement. “We are proud to have such an amazing partner with Comcast and Black Experience On Xfinity who immediately understood how important it was to produce this story about young black kids who pioneered Chicago House and how it ultimately collided with Hip Hop to create a new sound and genre that still influences todays artists and music”
This project by 300 Studios is one of many commemorative efforts to be released in 2023 as the world celebrated the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop.
In addition to spotlight moments at the Grammys and the BET Awards earlier in the year, in September Lil Wayne, Common, and many more joined forces with Vice President Kamala Harris for a once-in-a-lifetime concert .
Weezy and Common were joined by Too Short, Jeezy, Fat Joe, Remy Ma, Doug E. Fresh,Slick Rick, MC Lyte, Wale, and more on the front lawn at the Vice President’s residence in Washington, D.C for a host of iconic performances — in collaboration with the Recording Academy’s Black Music Coalition and Live Nation Urban — in honor of the movement’s impact over the last half-century — from music to fashion to film and beyond.
More recently, Redman, Queen Latifah, Treach, and other New Jersey Hip Hop royalty took part in a special MTV Unplugged celebration of Hip Hop, which is set to air on Thursday, December 14, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
According to Billboard, MTV Unplugged Presents: A Hip-Hop 50th Celebration of Jersey’s Finest took place at Newark’s Symphony Hall on November 15. In addition to Redman, Latifah, and Treach, the bill included Wyclef Jean, The Sugarhill Gang, Poor Righteous Teachers, Heather B, Nikki D, Lady Luck, and Lords of the Underground.
The band was led by Adam Blackstone, the Emmy-winning music director who has worked with Eminem, Rihanna and Janet Jackson, among others.