BET NEWS takes a powerful and compelling look at the state of hip hop in a three-part series titled “Hip Hop vs. America.”
This three-night special tackles many sensitive issues, including hip hop’s relationship with criminality and law enforcement; the image of Black women in hip hop; and the pride, embarrassment and confusion Blacks often feel over hip hop’s public airing of the community’s “dirty laundry.”
Hosted by BET’s Touré and Jeff Johnson, this special showcases a candid, heated forum that will allow audiences to hear the opinions of prominent leaders in hip hop and politics.
Panelists include hip-hop artists Nelly, TI, Mike Jones and Chuck D; authors Karrine “Superhead” Steffans, Nelson George and Keith Boykin; NPR’s Farai Chideya and BET’s Kim Osorio; civil rights leaders such as Minister Ben Chavis and the Rev. Al Sharpton; Judge Mablean Ephraim, formerly of TV’s “Divorce Court”; Diane Weathers of Essence magazine; and others.
Part I of "Hip Hop vs. America" premieres Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on BET, with the second hour airing on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). The third episode will only be available on BET.com’s BET ON BLAST.
