Backspin: Milwaukee's First Hip-Hop Song

Episode 6: The Friends We Made Along the Way

Justin and Tyrone settle the debate. We hear Milwaukee's first hip-hop song in full and put an end to this journey for Milwaukee's first hip-hop song.

Episode 5: Arrested Development

The leader of one of hip-hop's greatest groups, Arrested Development's Speech talks about the impact that Milwaukee had on him, and the impact he had on the city and the world.

Episode 4: Scratch the Record

Controversy swirls around Milwaukee's first hip-hop song. A group of MCs, DJs and musicians who were there weigh in on the scene, the time, and the true beginning of hip-hop in Milwaukee.

Episode 3: The Majestics Meet Marvell

A businessman with a business plan finds a group of energetic local kids who model themselves on James Brown and convinces them to record what might be Milwaukee's first hip-hop song.

Episode 2: Milwaukee was Crackin'

A fertile music culture in Milwaukee lays the groundwork for a new art form. In the early '80s there is an opportunity to make Milwaukee into the next Motown -- it just needs one charismatic entrepreneur to take advantage of it.