Plot Synopsis

Narrated by renowned rapper Nas, ORIGINS OF HIP HOP is a one-hour docuseries that chronicles the lives of many of Hip Hop's most celebrated and groundbreaking stars as they share the experiences that molded them in the legendary artists they became. Across eight hours, the series explores the origins of Busta Rhymes, Eve, Fat Joe, Grandmaster Flash, Ice-T, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, and Uncle Luke as they reflect on their personal journeys and the evolutions of their artistic points of view through their own eyes. In each one-hour episode, the series delves into the inspiring origin story of one of Hip Hop's biggest stars as collaborators, friends, family, and the artists themselves take viewers to where their stories began and trace their path to success. In intimate interviews, each artist will reflect on the moments that shaped them, the obstacles they have overcome, and the lessons learned along the way. The series further brings these stories to life through narration by renowned rapper Nas, rare archival footage of the stars, and their beloved music. The premiere episode of ORIGINS OF HIP HOP focuses on the journey and struggles of one of the genre's first Latino superstars, Fat Joe, as he reflects on the immense highs and lows of his career and life so far. ORIGINS OF HIP HOP debuted on a special night -- Monday, May 30, 2022 at 10pm -- before moving to its regular day and time -- Tuesdays at 10pm -- beginning June 7. Episodes include:

"Fat Joe" (Monday, May 30, 2022): Joey Crack was immersed in the culture of the South Bronx from a young age, but Joe's passion and drive for music pushed him to win the Apollo's Amateur night three times, thus propelling him to success and a chance at life away from hustling in the streets. Fat Joe's authenticity helped him gain respect from all angles as he pushed to break boundaries as one Hip Hop's only Latino rappers, while also forming a reputable crew of rappers and producers, famously known as The Terror Squad. After loss and hardship, Joe still would spend the next two decades proving to the world that he was just getting started.

"Busta Rhymes" (Tuesday, June 7, 2022): From his eccentric style, booming voice, and explosive career, Busta Rhymes changed the landscape of Hip Hop forever. After the heart wrenching breakup of his group, Leaders of The New School, Busta Rhymes had to forge his own path as a solo artist to keep himself and his dream alive.

"Ja Rule" (Tuesday, June 14, 2022): Ja Rule ruled the airwaves in the late 90s and early 2000s, deeming him the king of Hip Hop anthems. With some of the biggest collaborations the industry has seen, Ja was reigning the charts until it all crumbled. Murder Inc Records came tumbling down, his publicized beef with 50 Cent divided the industry, and his arrest in 2007 knocked him down. After being released, Ja Rule was on the straight and narrow path until he made headlines again, this time for having a hand in the world's biggest festival gone wrong, Fyre Fest. But with every obstacle, Ja Rule has prevailed over some of the biggest obstacles that have tried to stop him and his career. Ja is a timeless superstar.

"Eve" (Tuesday, June 21, 2022): Eve's rise to fame and success as one of rap's most successful female artists is one worth a celebration, but the path to get there was less than ideal. After struggling to be noticed, she finally catches the break of a lifetime and gets signed by Dr. Dre, only to be released from the label months later. With fears of never getting another opportunity, Eve receives a call to battle for a spot in the Ruff Ryders camp. After battling quite literally every person in the building, Eve transformed into the "Pitbull in the Skirt" and the first Lady of Ruff Ryders was born. Her success skyrocketed quickly but the high was temporary as Eve struggled with depression and anxiety causing her to leave her first major tour. After dealing with her anxiety she came back stronger than ever, rising from the ashes becoming a household name, and her contributions are forever etched in the fabric of Hip Hop.

"Ice-T" (Tuesday, June 28, 2022): Hip Hop was birthed from the Bronx but to New York's surprise, a harsh reality also lived on the West Coast. Enter: the Original Gangster, Ice-T. Ice-T took a page from Iceberg Slim's books and applied it to his multifaceted career. He pimped the system to stand the test of time as an artist whose career has spanned over four decades. From "Cop Killer" to playing America's favorite cop on television, Ice-T's career and accomplishments have paved the way for artists to emulate his path.

"Lil Jon" (Tuesday, July 5, 2022): From the window to the wall, Lil Jon has seen it all. Growing up in an upper middle class family in the suburbs of Atlanta, Jon Smith began to find his way in music early on. Learning how to DJ from a close friend and throwing the now infamous "Chicken and Beer" parties in his basement, Smith caught a lick of the spotlight and wanted more. Making his way to the top as an A&R, forming his supergroup Lil Jon and the East Side Boyz, and continuing to make his mark across genres, Jon understands he was a born hitmaker.

"Grandmaster Flash" (Tuesday, July 12, 2022): Emerging from the South Bronx in the 1970s, Grandmaster Flash and his innovation helped create the most widespread movement in popular culture: Hip-Hop. Using a record player as an instrument, Grandmaster Flash fast tracked his career and notoriety and spawned the legendary group the Furious Five. But all good things don't last forever...after parting ways with the group he created, Flash is forced to find his own path and reinvent himself.

"Uncle Luke " (Tuesday, July 19, 2022): 2 Live Crew frontman and controversial Hip Hop pioneer, Luther Campbell, rose to fame as he single-handedly changed the face of music two fold: fathering the birth of Southern Hip Hop, and fighting for musicians' first amendment rights. Known as the raunchiest man in Hip Hop, Luke was a musical mastermind: his activism, drive and perseverance for constitutional rights changed Hip Hop and law books forever.