The five-part Can You Dig It? A Hip-Hop Origin Story audio series narrated by hip-hop legend Chuck D is out now. Commemorating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, this Audible Original series documents the journey and rarely told story that set the table for hip-hop to be born in the Bronx during the early 1970s.
The docu-drama explores the events surrounding the 1971 murder of Cornell “Black Benjie” Benjamin, a respected peacekeeper and member of the influential Ghetto Brothers gang in the Bronx. The series details the impact of his death and how it led to the historic Hoe Avenue peace meeting, where hundreds of gang members gathered to choose peace over violence. This pivotal meeting laid the foundation for the birth of hip-hop, ultimately leading to Kool Herc’s legendary Back to School party in 1973.
In unrelated Chuck D/Hip-Hop-at-50 news, MLB has teamed up with the Public Enemy co-founder for special programming to celebrate the impact of hip-hop music and culture on baseball. During Friday’s highly anticipated Hip Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium concert, D will serve as MLB’s special correspondent across their social media platforms, as well as on MLB.com, MLB.TV, and MLB Network.
Check out the audio series here, and view the series’ cover art below.
