The Tanning of America

The Tanning of America is a ground-breaking documentary series produced by VH1 and first aired in 2014. This extensive four-part, four-hour long series is a result of thorough research and numerous interviews, all culminating in a comprehensive examination of how hip-hop culture has deeply influenced American society, including the realms of music, television, film, fashion, sports, politics, and advertising.

The show is based primarily on the book "The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy" by Steve Stoute, a successful advertising executive in America. Stoute's contribution to the show ushers in a unique business-based perspective, focusing on how hip-hop culture has redefined and expanded the American economic landscape.

The title, The Tanning of America, not only points to the deepening influence of African-American culture across all races and ethnicities in America but also addresses the dynamism and multi-cultural influence that has grown increasingly prevalent in modern society. The term “tanning” effectively symbolizes the blending and converging of cultures beyond the traditional racial boundaries.

This engaging documentary toggles between historical footage and fresh interviews with prominent figures who have directly shaped or been influenced by hip-hop culture, including Dr. Dre, Russell Simmons, Diddy, Pharrell, Nas, Reverend Run, Rick Rubin, Fab 5 Freddy, Jimmy Iovine and many more. Alongside these figures, the documentary also hears from respected persons in other fields, such as Brett Ratner, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Al Sharpton, and Tommy Hilfiger who provide perspective on how this culture has transcended and impacted sectors outside of music.

The Tanning of America dedicates significant time to delineating the history of hip-hop - tracing its origins in the Bronx during the 1970s, its gradual acceptance, and then its explosive growth into a dominant cultural movement that blurred racial lines and continues to impact every facet of American life. Throughout, it raises pivotal questions regarding identity, race relations, and societal change.

A significant attribute of the series is its ability to contextualize how various moments in hip-hop history mirrored societal changes, reflecting and advancing shifts in America's racial dialogue. It draws a remarkable parallel between the rise of hip-hop artists and the eventual election of America’s first African-American President, Barack Obama.

Each episode focusses on a particular decade, starting with the 1970s, then moving through each subsequent decade, positioning pivotal songs, personalities, and moments within broader social and cultural shifts. The series makes us familiar with how hip-hop gradually came to be a definitive element of American life, from being an underground movement to playing a pivotal role in the mainstream culture.

The Tanning of America makes stellar use of visual and aural components. It's a lively ride that keeps viewers engaged, interweaving historical footage with provocative interviews, and underscored by a litany of classic and contemporary hip-hop tracks. Known for its unparalleled storytelling and fresh insights, this introspective documentary provides an enlightened narrative that allows viewers to understand more deeply the transformative power of music and culture.

The series is directed by Billy Corben, who is best known for his work on sports documentaries like Broke and The U. He moves ably from the sports world to the music world, taking viewers on a seamless journey through 40 years of history.

On its release, The Tanning of America has been lauded for its insightful approach to showing how the hip-hop industry operated over the past several decades. Even more than a chronicle of the rise of hip-hop, it is a story of America's "tanning,” a metaphorical image of the cultural fusion that we witness today as an outcome of the hip-hop revolution.

To sum up, The Tanning of America is not merely a documentary about hip-hop's history and influences—it’s a heartening story of the evolution of the American spirit in the face of changing racial dynamics. It is a must-watch for music lovers, students of American culture, and anyone interested in how cultural movements can shape and reflect societal transformation.