Roxanne Shanté

Ava DuVernay focuses on the history of female MCs in the hip hop industry in this short documentary that features Missy Elliott, Salt-N-Pepa, Eve, Jean Grae, Roxanne Shante, Trina, The Lady of Rage, and many more.

An intimate look at the evolution and impact of women emcees and rappers, told by the trailblazing artists who helped create a musical and cultural empire.

The story focuses on Newark's Baraka family and its involvement in social activism, poetry, music, art and politics.

New York, 1986: a city of big dreams and equally big problems. Like New York itself, hip-hop music encompassed both of these human conditions. But hip-hop and its cultural birthplace shared other important characteristics, too: the desire to always be original, a hustle-to-survive ambition, and — if the stars aligned — the ability to come out on top, no matter what the odds. Big Fun in the Big Town is about hip-hop when artistry in the game was still at its center. When skills, not hype, got you your first record deal. When Run-DMC took the reins from Doug E Fresh and Grandmaster Flash, paving the way for hundreds of other hitmakers to follow. When a chart-topping LL Cool J still lived with his Grandmother. When the Latin Quarter was the club to be at on any weekend night. And when artists from all backgrounds could taste their own pop chart dreams, just beyond their reach but still seemingly attainable.

SLAMMIN!... Rap's #1 video magazine. Here are the acts you're going to be meetin' in the premiere episode of this 1990 Video VHS Magazine produced by Night Flight creator Stuart S. Shapiro. Waking up in the morning with Big Daddy Kane...KANE style, a spin in Ice T.'s Ferrari and a tour of his home with the Rhyme Syndicate posse, MC Hammer contributes his def videos, Queen Latifah and her dancers 007 and 99 allow Slammin' into their "Queendom" to drop science on women in the rap industry. Chuck D, KRS-One, Chris Rock and Steve White take a comic's look at rap movies. Host Alex Winter races around town, trying to hook up with Slammin's rap acts in this premiere issue.

A once-in-a-lifetime live concert special celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Airing Sunday, Dec. 10, at at 8:30 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on the CBS Television Network and streaming live and on demand on Paramount+, the two-hour tribute special will feature exclusive performances from hip-hop legends and GRAMMY-winning artists, including Black Thought, Bun B, Common, De La Soul, Jermaine Dupri, J.J. Fad, Talib Kweli, The Lady Of Rage, LL COOL J, MC Sha-Rock, Monie Love, The Pharcyde, Queen Latifah, Questlove, Rakim, Remy Ma, Uncle Luke, and Yo-Yo.

The untold story of the world’s longest running video show, Video Music Box. A hip hop mainstay since 1983, VMB gave a platform to artists like Jay-Z, Nas and Mary J. Blige before they hit it big. Host Ralph McDaniels’ archives — amassed over nearly 40 years — reveal the show’s importance to numerous big-name musicians, as well as to the kids that grew up watching.

Crooked Mayor Chuck Davis, his deadly female assassin Rhonda Knuckles, and right-hand-man Maniac Max must navigate the savage law of the street. With his hands occupied in everything from money laundering to hired hits, Davis tries to stay one step ahead of the competition in the Round Table Gang—Benny Tang, Azul Michoacan, and Vinny “Pipes” Roselli—who have controlled the black market undercurrent of Tehk City for years.

Rappers, writers and experts detail the influence of women on hip-hop music and culture in this docuseries honoring the trailblazers and game-changers.