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The elements of hip hop came together in the Bronx borough of New York City in the early 1970s. From a whole lot of nothing—and a whole lot of imagination—hip hop took form.

From Fairmont Street to U Street, from the Howard Theater to the Bohemian Caverns, take a tour through jazz history with Billy Taylor and Frank Wess, who lead listeners through their hometown’s music scene in this seven-part audio series.

You’re in the studio and at the mixing console with Motown historian Harry Weinger and Questlove of The Roots as they unpack classic tracks including Marvin Gaye’s 1971 chart-topper “What’s Going On” and The Supremes' 1966 hit “You Can't Hurry Love.”

Foot thumping rhythms, crooning voices, soulful melodies – jazz is a music with a history as rich as its sound. Follow the great migration that lead African Americans to Harlem, meet jazz icons such as Bessie Smith and Charlie Parker, and stop by the Cotton Club and Apollo Theater on a journey through the past of this American art form.