Canadian-Produced Documentary Series Hip-Hop Evolution To Premiere In Toronto

The first two episodes of a new series called Hip Hop Evolution will premiere at the Toronto documentary festival, Hot Docs, this year. Directed by Darby Wheeler and co-directed by Scot McFadyen and Sam Dunn of Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, the show takes Canadian rapper Shad to New York City, where he will dissect hip-hop from its storied beginnings to its global present, and interview legends like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash. Hot Docs will air the first two episodes of Hip Hop Evolution's four episode run back-to-back.

Director Darby Wheeler told The FADER that Hip-Hop Evolution won't be a rehash of the genre's most well-documented moments. “Hip-Hop Evolution is a four-part series that covers the first 20 years of hip-hop: from Kool Herc to Dr. Dre's The Chronic...The process also revealed some stories that have never received major attention, and we're hoping that even the most knowledgeable hip-hop heads will be entertained, informed, and surprised by what Hip-Hop Evolution has to offer.”

Hot Docs runs in Toronto from April 28—May 8. Tickets go on sale March 22.