Class of '88 Podcast with Will Smith cover art

Class of '88

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Class of '88

By: Westbrook Media
Narrated by: Will Smith
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About this listen

In the US, hip hop reigns as the genre that influences every aspect of our culture. From fashion to film, the dominance of this prolific sound can be traced back to one year—1988. From Public Enemy to The Fresh Prince, these twelve months gave rise to the superstars and styles that still resonate in songs released 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. Rich with archival material, new interviews with hip-hop’s biggest stars, and personal recollections from Will himself, Class of ’88 delivers fresh untold stories from the year that hip hop overcame the forces that were hell bent on blocking its rise.

This series features interviews and stories from the revolutionary artists that impacted that year and many more afterwards, including: Queen Latifah, Jazzy Jeff, DMC, Salt-N-Pepa, Chuck D, Fab Five Freddy, Rakim, Slick Rick, DJ Red Alert, and Rick Rubin.

©2023 Westbrook Media, LLC (P)2023 Audible Originals LLC Entertainment & Celebrities
Episodes
  • Trailer

    Trailer
    Sep 21 2023

    Hip hop reigns as the genre that influences every aspect of our culture. From fashion to film, the origins of this prolific sound can be traced back to one year - 1988. Through the unique perspective and personal experiences of host 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.
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    1 min
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  • Episode 1: The Battle for World Supremacy, with DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince

    Episode 1: The Battle for World Supremacy, with DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince
    Oct 26 2023
    In January of 1988, the music industry was treating hip hop like a fad. But that was all about to change – along with the lives of two kids from Philly. Host Will Smith brings us straight into the most pivotal year in hip hop history. It started at the Battle for World Supremacy, the world’s largest DJ competition in NYC.
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    31 mins
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  • Episode 2: Kings of Rock, with DMC and Rick Rubin

    Episode 2: Kings of Rock, with DMC and Rick Rubin
    Oct 26 2023
    Run-DMC were the kings of hip hop. But in 1988, they faced new competition from a generation of artists they had helped inspire.
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    29 mins
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About the Host - Will Smith

About the Host

Will Smith is an actor, producer, and musician, and an Academy Award, Grammy Award, SAG Award, BAFTA Award, and NAACP Image Award winner who has enjoyed a diverse career encompassing films, television, and multiplatinum records. Will and DJ Jazzy Jeff’s single "Parents Just Don’t Understand" won the first Rap Grammy. As a solo artist, Will released two singles as part of the Men in Black soundtrack, both of which charted globally and were added to his debut solo album Big Willie Style. He became a #1 New York Times bestselling author with his memoir Will and co-founded Westbrook Inc., a media company that empowers artists to tell stories that connect the world.
After starting his career as a rapper, Smith won over audiences across the world with his performances in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, I Am Legend, the Bad Boys and Men in Black film series, Hitch, and Aladdin. His vast filmography also includes transformative portrayals of true-life icons in Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness, both of which garnered him Academy Award nominations, as did his role in Concussion. In 2021, Smith produced and starred as Richard Williams, the infamous father of American icons Venus and Serena Williams, in Warner Brothers’ King Richard. The movie was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Motion Picture and Best Actor in a Leading Role—the latter making Smith a first-time Academy Award winner. His performance as Richard Williams also made him a first-time SAG Award and BAFTA Award winner.

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I love listening to Will catch up with rappers from 88... even though I wasn't a big rap fan I do love hearing the history of artists I recognize; please do other years or more current artists.. it's just great to hear Will's voice again & laughing with his friends

Please keep this going

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Will Smith is my absolute favorite person in the world. So anything he does will always be great at 100%. But this is absolutely genius and educational they.

Genius and educational

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it's good to learn why some things happened when they did. loved every episode. Ten more words to meet required minimum for review submission.

That explains a lot

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Great stories, narration and authenticity! I couldn't stop listening. Hip-Hop history is so captivating.

WOW!! So much history in one year!

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An exceptional podcast on Hip Hop history! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. Worth my time and kept my attention. I loved how the overall story flowed and the chapter titles.

Loved this!

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Well produced, researched, and executed recollection of one of the most important years in Hip Hop history. With legends like Will and DJ Jazzy Jeff tag teaming facilitating the conversation/story each episode and producing, it can't get any better.

Great show to celebrate Hip Hop 50!

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I am a REAL, true hip hop head from waaaaay back so this was like food to my soul!!!! LOVE THIS! And Will narrating was soooo excellent!

EXCELLENT JOB !!!! Stories of the true hip hop heads, I looove this!

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I like how I was able to listen in like I was there. Will Smith is a great storyteller. I liked how they had the artist till their accounts of that time it felt very nostalgic. It was a great listen. I advise anyone that has a love for hip-hop culture to listen in.

Will Smith is a great story teller

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This is a great retelling of the origins of some of our greatest Hip Hop icons. It was refreshing to hear their perspectives of hip Hop at the time. As a child/kid growing up in the 80's this was/is a walk down memory lane.

Authentic Hip Hop

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Please keep em coming!!! Granted I was only 7 years old in 1988, but this walk down memory lane helped me relive my childhood. Will Smith narrating is also a huge plus.

LOVED IT!

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