Bell Media Congratulates Banger Films on Prestigious Peabody Award Win for Original Documentary Series, HIP-HOP EVOLUTION

If ‘The Message’ gave birth to hip-hop as we know it, this doc is about the labour, the three trimesters, the broken condom and the drinks that got the party started.” – Radheyan Simonpillai, NOW Toronto TORONTO (April 18, 2017) – #StoriesThatMatter. Following today’s announcement  by The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors, Bell Media congratulates HIP-HOP EVOLUTION on its prestigious Peabody Award win in the Documentary category. After evaluating more than 1,200 submissions, HIP-HOP EVOLUTION is one of only 12 documentary winners for 2016. The four-episode, one-hour series series, commissioned by Bell Media and produced in partnership with Banger Films, explores the birth and far-reaching influences of hip-hop. From Canadian filmmaker Darby Wheeler, HIP-HOP EVOLUTION premiered in September 2016 on HBO Canada and won two Canadian Screen Awards this year, including Best Biography or Arts Documentary Program or Series. Click here for a look at HIP-HOP EVOLUTION. “It’s a huge honour for everyone involved with HIP-HOP EVOLUTION to be recognized bv The Peabody Awards, which shine a spotlight on excellence in television,” said Tracey Pearce, President, Distribution and Pay, Bell Media. “Congratulations go out to Banger Films and the rest of the team behind this ground-breaking Canadian documentary series that brings the electric history of hip hop magnificently to life.” Episodes 1-4 of HIP-HOP EVOLUTION are available now on TMN GO and HBO Canada OnDemand. HIP-HOP EVOLUTION travels back to 1970s Bronx and Harlem, unveiling how hip-hop evolved from its beginnings as a New York house-party experiment, to the global phenomenon it is today, and more importantly, how it created a voice for the disenfranchised. Acclaimed Canadian MC and media personality Shad Kabango guides viewers through the evolution of the genre, travelling through NYC’s boroughs to speak with hip-hop’s originators and biggest stars. The power-house documentary features interviews with the musical legends and pioneers that started it all. HIP-HOP EVOLUTION is written by Rodrigo Bascuñán, and directed by Canadian documentary filmmaker Darby Wheeler (THE HOUR) with co-direction by Scot McFayden (RUSH: BEYOND THE LIGHTED STAGE), and Sam Dunn (METAL EVOLUTION). Production Executive is Kathleen Meek. Robin Johnston is Director, Factual and Original Programming, Bell Media. Corrie Coe is Senior Vice-President, Original Programming, Bell Media. Mike Cosentino is Senior Vice-President, Content and Programming, Bell Media. Tracey Pearce is President, Distribution and Pay, Bell Media.