Not surprisingly, this confrontational approach attracted controversy. Critics claimed the group themselves were racist, exposing racial divides rather than promoting equality. They were banned from some TV and radio stations and when one member reportedly made anti-Semitic remarks in a newspaper interview the resulting media-storm threatened to end their career. Tensions were running high and arguments within the band ended in violence. Could they keep it together long enough to get their message across?
Includes exclusive new interviews with Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Professor Griff, Hank and Keith Shocklee and the S1Ws. Plus contributions from Run DMC, Method Man (Wu-Tang Clan), Anthrax's Scott Ian, Jurassic 5's Chali 2na, Bahamadia, writer and activist Kevin Powell and DJ Dave Pearce.
Hip Hop At The BBC
Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight (TOTP 79) / Afrika Bambaataa - Looking For The Perfect Beat (Ebony 84) / Run DMC - You Be Illin' (Whistle Test 87) / LL Cool J - I Need Love - (TOTP 87) / Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full (TOTP 87) / De La Soul - Me Myself & I (TOTP 89) / Ice T - Lethal Weapon (The Late Show 90) / A Tribe Called Quest - Can I Kick It (Dance Energy 90) / Public Enemy - 911 Is A Joke (The Late Show 90) / Monie Love - Down To Earth (Dance Energy 90) / Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby (Wogan 90) / Coolio feat LV - Gansta's Paradise (TOTP 95) / Fugees - Fu-Gee La (Later With Jools 96) / The Roots - Next Movement (Later With Jools 99) / Dr Dre & Eminem - Forgot About Dre (TOTP 00) / Dizzee Rascal - Brand New Day (Later With Jools 03) / 50 Cent - In Da Club (TOTP 03) / Jay Z - 99 Problems (Later With Jools 09)
