LL COOL J Hosts New Docuseries ‘Hip Hop Was Born Here’
The legendary rapper and actor created the show with Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.
LL COOL J’s Hip Hop Was Born Here premieres today on Paramount+. Hosted by the legendary rapper and actor, who created it alongside Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, the five-episode docuseries traces the origins and evolution of hip hop, lending insight into how a localized culture blew up into a global phenomenon.
Hip Hop Was Born Here promises to tour viewers through the New York neighborhoods, recording studios, and other sites that played important parts in the genre’s rise, as well as analysis of key tracks from a roster of beloved artists. In addition to LL COOL J, the series features new interviews with figures including Big Daddy Kane, Method Man, Rev Run, Doug E. Fresh, Jadakiss, Roxanne Shante, Marley Marl, Salt of Salt-N-Pepa, Bimmy, Lady London, Crystal Caines, Grandmaster Caz, Fivio Foreign, and Sheek Louch, among others.
Across the board, LL asks the guests to reflect on the word “legacy.” What does it mean to them? What kind of legacy are they leaving behind? More than 50 years past the dawn of hip hop, it’s an opportune time to assess those questions while measuring the culture’s ongoing transformative impact around the globe.
Few people on Earth are more qualified to tell this story than LL COOL J. The artist born James Todd Smith was one of hip hop’s earliest hitmakers and has continued to make vital contributions to the genre’s history, most recently his acclaimed 2024 album THE FORCE. His creative output has been recognized by the Grammys, the NAACP Image Awards, and the Kennedy Center Honors. In addition to his own catalog, he has advanced hip-hop through ventures like the Rock The Bells music festival and his SiriusXM satellite radio station LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio.
After premiering today in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Brazil, Hip Hop Was Born Here will make its debut Wednesday in territories including the UK, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria. It’s a co-production of MTV Entertainment Studios, Rock The Bells, and Omaha Productions.
