From Public Enemy to Kendrick Lamar, hip hop has a long history of speaking truth to power, so who better to tell its story than Chuck D? Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World explores how rap music became a cultural phenomenon, with insight from some of the scene's biggest stars. The four-part series starts on Saturday 21st January and all episodes are free to watch on BBC iPlayer. Those in the States will have to wait until the 31st January for PBS. Here's how to watch Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World from anywhere in the world.
Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World starts at the beginning.
Using a combination of interviews and archival footage, this hard-hitting, head-nodding documentary series examines where hip hop came from, how the crack epidemic led to the formulation of groups such as NWA, the ways it dealt with accusations of promoting violence and misogyny, and explores how the industry has used its voice and power to fight for change in the 21st century.
“The hip hop community has, from the start, been doing what the rest of media is only now catching up to," says Chuck D. "Long before any conglomerate realised it was time to wake up, hip hop had been speaking out and telling truths."
Featuring artists including Eminem, Ice-T, KRS-One, Monie Love, and Roxanne Shanté, plus figures from the wider cultural scene such as Rev Al Sharpton, activist Dr Rosa Alicia Clemente, and co-founder of BLM of Greater New York, Walter “Hawk” Newsome, this is hip hop in its own words.
Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World streams on BBC iPlayer from 8pm GMT on 21st January. Make sure you know how to watch Fight the Power from anywhere.
Watch Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World now
Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World streams free on BBC iPlayer from 21st January. TV viewers can watch the show on BBC Two at 9pm GMT that day.
Just sign up for a BBC account with an email address and a UK postcode (e.g. W1A 1AA) for access to iPlayer.
Use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer from overseas.
We recommend ExpressVPN for watching BBC iPlayer from abroad. It's easy to use and offers a 30-day money back guarantee. Instructions below...
When is Fight the Power on TV: episode dates
Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World airs from 21st January 2023, it's a four-part series. The next episode airs straight afterwards, at 10pm. The show begins in the US on 31st January. UK air dates are as follows:
- Episode 1 – The Foundation | 9pm GMT, Saturday 21st January 2023
- Episode 2 – Under Siege | 10pm GMT, Saturday 21st January 2023
- Episode 3 – Culture Wars | TBA
- Episode 4 – Still Fighting | TBA
Watch Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World from abroad with a VPN
Even if you have a BBC account, you won't be able to access BBC iPlayer when outside the UK. The service will know your location based on your IP address, and will automatically block your access.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) helps you get around this obstacle. It creates a private connection between your device and the internet. There are lots of VPNs to choose from, but we think ExpressVPN is one of the very best...
How to use a VPN to watch Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World
Using a VPN to watch Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World is simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. ExpressVPN is the one we recommend.
2. Open up the VPN app and choose the location of the service you wish to access. For Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World, you may wish to choose 'UK' for BBC iPlayer.
3. Then head over to BBC iPlayer on your browser or device and enjoy the free Fight the Power live stream.
If, for whatever reason, you can't get it working, do remember that you have the comfort of a 30-day money back guarantee with ExpressVPN. You could also try NordVPN, which also comes with a 30-day money back guarantee, and Surfshark which offers 24 hour assistance.
Watch a Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World in the USA from 31st Jan
Episode one of Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World airs on 31st Janauary, from 9pm ET to 10pm on PBS and the free PBS Video App (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android, iOS devices).
PBS is available in the US only. Travelling outside the States? Simply use a VPN to access PBS from wherever you are. Instructions below...
Remember: UK nationals travelling overseas can use a use a VPN watch Fight the Power free of charge on BBC iPlayer. Details just above.
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The Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World live stream in Australia
Unfortunately there doesn't appear to be an Australian network screening Fight the Power. But don't let that stop you watching...
Remember: UK nationals who are outside the UK can use a VPN to watch Fight the Power: How Hip Hop Changed the World free of charge on BBC iPlayer. Details above.
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