Mark Steel Does Hip Hop

Original version

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

BBC Radio 4 Extra

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Music: Hip Hop, RnB & Dancehall

saturday-live_mark-steel_160116_e_el.jpg

BBC Radio 4 Extra - Mark Steel Does Hip Hop

Mark Steel celebrates the ever expanding world of foreign Hip Hop  

Mark Steel loves Hip Hop in foreign tongues - from Iceland to Iran - he celebrates world conquering Bronx beat. From 2017.

Mark Steel loves Hip Hop in foreign languages. Even though he can't understand a word; he loves the energy and attitude.

In this programme, he hopes to persuade you that far from the violent, misogynistic  'anti-music' it is sometimes thought to be by its critics, Hip Hop is where it is at for young people all over the world today.

The simple combination of a beat and words has proved itself endlessly adaptable and it has taken root  in cultures  from Iceland to Iran from Tanzania to Taiwan. 

When pop and rock burst upon the world in the 1950's it was the voice of rebellion but became so closely aligned with English that for decades young people around had little choice but to look to people who sang in an alien tongue if they wanted to join the party - lacking the confidence or means to compete with the soft power of Anglo American musicians.

Hip Hop and the internet has changed that; The big American record companies are no longer gate keepers to music that they once were and the simplicity of 'rapping' in a vernacular has proved a powerful combination that's given birth to vibrant hip hop scenes in most countries in the world.

Mark visits Iceland and then hears from artists from Africa, Asia and Latin America where Hip Hop has become the dominant form of music through which young people talk among themselves about the big and small issues in their lives.

Producer: Kevin Mousley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama

Your digital radio entertainment station showcasing the best in comedy and drama. With recent favourites from BBC Radio 4.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Mark Steel Does Hip Hop

Genres

Formats

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4