Hip-hop has historically and modernly served as a form of expression about political issues faced by Black people in America. What are these issues, and how has hip-hop helped Black people develop their voice and establish their place in mainstream American society?

How do the development and cyclical resurgences of hip-hop reflect cyclical experiences of Black Americans?

How were the development of hip-hop in New York and Los Angeles similar, and how did it differ? Which key influences shaped each scene’s unique unfolding?