How the UK changed Hip-Hop Forever

How the UK Changed Hip-Hop Forever

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Music: Hip Hop, RnB & Dancehall: Hip Hop

How The UK Changed Hip-Hop Forever

Ashley Walters explores the UK's influence on hip-hop.

British actor and rapper Ashley Walters explores the UK's influence on hip-hop.

To mark hip-hop's 50th anniversary this year, this series explores the UK's influence on hip-hop. From foundational British artists to the unexpected encounters that influenced a generation, each episode will tell the story of a surprising but significant link between the UK and a key moment in hip-hop history.

Each episode starts with a key moment. We'll then reveal the UK involvement through key interviews and archive moments, and ask why it matters now.

How the UK Changed Hip-Hop Forever: 5. An American Boy and an English Girl

5. An American Boy and an English Girl

BBC Radio 1Xtra - How the UK Changed Hip-Hop Forever, 5. An American Boy and an English Girl

Ashely Walters tells the story of one of hip hop’s biggest US/UK collabs.

How did a British soft drink end up on one of hip hop’s biggest US/UK collabs?

Amongst all the references to alcohol in hip hop, one drink reference stands out… Ribena. How did it end up getting name checked on one of hip hop’s biggest US/UK collabs?

In the 90s and 00s the UK hip-hop scene was still quite small. Estelle cut her teeth freestyling in record shops before moving to the US. She ended up collaborating with Kanye West on American Boy – a tune that would become iconic.

The road wasn’t easy, from leaving the UK in the first place to battling people’s perceptions of how a Black British girl should break the States… Ashley reflects on his own experiences with 50 Cent and on some of the other British rappers who have tried to break the states.

In this episode we hear from Estelle, hip-hop journalist Elliott Wilson (Rap Radar), rapper Cookie Pryce and rapper and YouTube reactor Scru Face Jean.

Archive used in this episode:
Jay-Z at Glastonbury, BBC

Presenter: Ashley Walters
Producer: Emily Dicks
Written by Emily Dicks
Technical production: Ant Danbury
Additional production: Dari Samuels, Tommy Dixon and Zayna Shaikh
Editor for BBC Audio: Andy Worrell
Commissioning producer: Jonathan O’Sullivan
Commissioner for BBC Music: Will Wilkin
A BBC Audio production

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