Chuck D Set to Narrate Podcast Series Covering the Origins of Hip-Hop

By: Adonis Armstrong

Introducing Can You Dig It? - an innovative audio docu-drama presented by Chuck D, a renowned hip-hop legend and inductee of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This captivating series dives into a rarely told narrative that played a pivotal role in giving birth to a global artistic movement. Premiering on August 10th as a 5-part Audible Original, it coexist with the historic 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

The journey begins with the tragic murder of Cornell "Black Benjie" Benjamin, a prominent member of the influential Ghetto Brothers gang in the south Bronx in 1971. Discover how Benjamin's peacemaking efforts sparked the historic Hoe Avenue peace meeting, a significant truce among rival gangs that paved the way for the emergence of hip-hop culture. Today the City of New York will honor the memory of Cornell Benjamin by renaming the intersection of E. 165th Street and Rogers Place in the Bronx as "Cornell 'Black Benjie' Benjamin Way," marking the exact location of his fateful incident. The cast, crew, and production team of Can You Dig It? will proudly attend the street renaming ceremony, joining the Benjamin family and supporters in commemorating this special recognition.

This compelling series surrounds a fusion of scripted dramatic sequences and insightful commentary from admired cultural figures, including renowned street photographers Joe Conzo and Henry Chalfant, former Black Panther Joseph Mpa, and the pioneering emcee of hip-hop, Coke La Rock. Additionally, it incorporates interviews with family members and experts, cinematic score, and archival recordings. The scripted cast represents the vibrant diversity of the borough they proudly hail from, with a predominantly Black and LatinX ensemble that showcases emerging talent from the Bronx and its surrounding regions, along with the active contributions from local community arts programs.

Can You Dig It? attempts to shine a spotlight on the steady resilience of a community, emphasizing the triumph of peace over violence and celebrating the often overlooked heroes who have altered the course of history. The series dives into a pivotal era of change and unrest in America and New York City, specifically during the late 1960s and early 1970s. It examines the prevailing circumstances and policies that contributed to profound urban decay and the rise of gang activity in the Bronx, such as discriminatory housing and zoning laws, as well as the construction of the Cross Bronx Expressway.

Chuck D explains the central theme of Can You Dig It? during the show, stating: “No death, no peace; no peace, no Kool Herc party; no party, no hip-hop.  Black Benjie is an unsung hero…the direct correlation between the peace treaty and the birth of hip-hop is clear. There’d be no Public Enemy without this story.”  The historic Hoe Avenue peace meeting of 1971 not only enhanced safety in the Bronx but also facilitated a vibrant exchange of ideas, blurring the boundaries of gang territories. As a testament to this transformative period, just two years later, the renowned Kool Herc Back-to-School party unfolded at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx.

The creative minds behind Can You Dig It? are Pete Chelala, Bryan Master, and Julian Voloj, who together form PB&J Productions LLC, an entertainment and content studio based in New York. Collaborating with them as executive producers are Lorrie Boula from Channel Zero, known for her work on PBS/BBC's Fight The Power: How Hip-Hop Changed the World, and the respected Chuck D.

The docu-drama will be available August 10 only on Audible.

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