Mass Appeal is getting into television and is partnering with SHOWTIME for a multi-year program initiative that will pay homage to Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary. Dubbed Hip Hop 50, the series will be helmed by Nas and Sacha Jenkins and will include programming like digital shorts, scripted shows, podcasts, documentary films — all which will explore the culture’s history.
Some of what’s lined up so far is a Cypress Hill documentary titled Hits From the Bong by Estevan Oriol, Rolling Like Thunder by Roger Gastman which will take a look at graffiti in NYC and Push It, a documentary about women and hip hop.
Nas had this to say about the upcoming programming:
“Without the new eyes and new ways to visualize the culture, then it’s not going to be complete. It has to be everyone that loves the culture, that can tell the story, that can really show through their work where we’re headed and why we’re headed there. The new voices are the new stories, and you have to have the beginning and the ‘now’ … This is the biggest birthday in the world. You’re going to see the stories from every element of hip-hop, whether it’s the street stories, whether it’s the MCing. Whatever it is, we want to celebrate and push this birthday party to the max.”
Hip Hop 50 will debut on SHOWTIME this year and continue through 2023.