(AllHipHop News) American Epic, a three-part Robert Redford-narrated documentary, will explore the history of early 1900’s music.
“American Epic is a love letter to the United States. It’s the story of one of the great moments in American history – when the voices of working people, minorities, and rural people throughout the country were first heard,” explains director Bernard MacMahon. “It celebrates all I admire about the country – its rich culture, technological innovation.”
He adds, “It celebrates all I admire about the country – its rich culture, technological innovation, entrepreneurism and its freedom of speech.”
Hip Hop legend Nas is among the modern-day musicians who appear in the series.
In one scene, the New Yorker teams up with The White Stripes rocker Jack White to record Memphis Jug Band’s “On The Road Again” from 1928.
“This is not high society black folks. This is the down under, street wild black folks that they’re singing about,” states Nas about the band. “It’s the same as today. It’s the same as rap music today.”
American Epic premieres May 16 on PBS.
The American Epic Sessions is scheduled to air on June 6 at 8 p.m.