Podcast hosted by Will Smith looks at the year that defined hip hop

Wondery and Audible are to release a new limited audio series, Class of ’88 which takes a celebratory look back at the year that defined hip-hop.

Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor and hip-hop icon Will Smith, the podcast explores this landmark year for music through in-depth, hilarious, and emotional interviews with the artists that helped define the genre.

Those taking part include Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels, Rakim, Fab 5 Freddy, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Chuck D, J.J. Fad, and DJ Red Alert.

Hip-hop is a genre that influences many aspects of US culture. From fashion to film, the origins of this inventive sound can be traced back to one year: 1988. From Public Enemy to the Fresh Prince, these 12 months gave rise to the superstars and styles that continue to mark music today.

Through the unique perspective and personal experiences of Will Smith, Class of ’88 reveals the milestone moments, albums, and artists that inspired a sonic evolution and secured 1988 as hip-hop’s most important year.

Including archive material, new interviews with hip-hop stars, and personal recollections from Smith himself, the miniseries brings fresh, untold stories from the year that hip-hop overcame the forces that were hell-bent on blocking its rise.

“Hip-hop has been a central part of my life for over four decades,” says Will Smith. “I’m hyped to share my first-hand experiences and those of some of hip-hop’s greatest legends as we delve into the origins of one of the most influential genres of music in history.”

All eight episodes of Class of ‘88 release Thursday, 26 October, exclusively on Amazon Music and Audible. Prime members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music.