Episode 11, Hip Hop Studies: The Roots of Rap

The Cause Podcast: Ep 11: Hip Hop Studies: The Roots of Rap

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Episode Date: June. 6, 2025

“Rap is something you do—hip hop is something you live.” — Dr. Reiland Rabaka

In Episode 11 of The Cause: Conversations on Music, History, and Democracy, Dr. Reiland Rabaka launches our new Hip Hop Studies series with a powerful exploration of the cultural, political, and historical foundations of hip hop.

This episode traces the origins of hip hop from its roots in the Bronx to its connections with African griots, Black oral traditions, and resistance movements. Dr. Rabaka unpacks the five core elements of hip hop—MCing, DJing, breakdancing, graffiti, and knowledge—and how each one emerged as a form of survival, expression, and cultural genius.

Far from just entertainment, hip hop is framed here as a living philosophy, a way of life forged in the heat of economic exclusion, community creativity, and Black cultural inheritance.

Available now on all major podcast platforms
Catch the broadcast on Radio 1190 KVCU every other Tuesday at 7 a.m.
Explore the curated playlist that complements this episode’s themes

This is part one of a multi-episode deep dive—Hip Hop Studies begins here.

Listen to The Roots of Rap playlist on Spotify

Episode 11 Playlist

  • The Sugarhill Gang – “Rapper's Delight” (1979);
  • Kurtis Blow – “The Breaks” (1980);
  • Run-DMC – “It’s Like That” (1983);
  • Whodini – “Freaks Come Out at Night” (1984);
  • Eazy-E – “Boyz-n-the-hood” (1987);
  • Biz Markie – “Nobody Beats the Biz” (1987);
  • Too $hort – “Life Is … Too Short” (1988);
  • The Sequence featuring Spoonie Gee – “Monster Jam” (1980);
  • The Treacherous Three – “Body Rock” (1980);
  • T La Rock & Jazzy Jay – “It’s Yours” (1984);
  • LL Cool J – “I’m Bad” (1987);
  • Special Ed – “I Got It Made” (1989);
  • 3rd Bass f/ Zev Love X – “The Gas Face” (1989);
  • Marley Marl featuring Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane – “The Symphony” (1988);
  • J.J. Fad – “Supersonic” (1988);
  • MC Lyte – “Cha Cha Cha” (1989);
  • Queen Latifah – “Dance for Me” (1989);
  • DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince – “Parents Just Don’t Understand” (1988);
  • Tone Loc – “Wild Thing” (1988);
  • Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew – “The Show” (1985);
  • Stetsasonic – “Talkin’ All That Jazz” (1988);
  • Herbie Hancock – “Rockit” (1983);
  • Melle Mel – “White Lines (Don’t Do It)” (1983);
  • Public Enemy – “Fight the Power” (1989);
  • Beastie Boys – “Paul Revere” (1986);
  • De La Soul featuring the Jungle Brothers, A Tribe Called Quest, Monie Love, and Queen Latifah – “Buddy (Native Tongue Decision)” (1989);
  • The D.O.C. – “It’s Funky Enough” (1989);
  • UTFO – “Roxanne, Roxanne” (1984); Roxanne Shante – “Roxanne’s Revenge” (1984);
  • MC Shan – “The Bridge” (1985);
  • Boogie Down Productions – “South Bronx” (1986);
  • Funky 4 + 1 – “That’s the Joint” (1980);
  • Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force – “Planet Rock” (1982);
  • Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – “It Takes Two” (1988);
  • Schoolly D – “P.S.K. What Does It Mean?” (1985);
  • Ice-T – “6 ‘N the Mornin’” (1986);
  • Audio Two – “Top Billin'” (1987);
  • Salt-N-Pepa – “I’ll Take Your Man” (1986);
  • Run-DMC – “King of Rock” (1985);
  • N.W.A. – “Straight Outta Compton” (1988);
  • LL Cool J – “Rock the Bells” (1985);
  • Big Daddy Kane – “Ain’t No Half-Steppin'” (1988);
  • Eric B. & Rakim – “Paid in Full” (1987);
  • Public Enemy – “Rebel Without a Pause” (1987);
  • Slick Rick – “Children’s Story” (1989);
  • Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – “The Message” (1982)