Radio and the explosion of a music genre have often gone hand in hand. One needs to look back no further than Alan Freed and the infamous Moondog Coronation Ball to demonstrate the vast power radio has had over the decades to expand a local, youth-culture-driven movement led by the music of the day.

Many call the Cleveland radio disc jockey the “father of Rock and Roll.” Despite the genre’s artists and labels, it was Freed, and radio, that helped launch arguably the most explosive pop-music genre ever.

And then there was hip-hop.

There is no question that hip-hop music and culture have long outgrown their relatively humble beginnings in 1970’s New York, to the point that the multi-billion-dollar industry has touched nearly every aspect of popular culture throughout the world.

And while mass media certainly helped this expansion over the decades, there are a few who have been credited with truly advancing the genre and its associated culture in a special way.

One such example, The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show, has been called the greatest hip-hop radio show of all-time. I think this is a bit of an understatement, and think that it deserves to not be put in such a box.

The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show is arguably one of history’s most influential radio programs of all-time.

Period.

While often ragtag and chaotic, the radio show introduced the world to the massively growing genre of hip-hop, coming along just as the artform was about to reach a tipping point. Broadcasting from New York’s Columbia University on WKCR, Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Garcia would deliver what many consider to be the ultimate in college radio vibe — young people adhering to little formatting or rules, emphatically delivering their lifestyle to all who would listen.

And many did! Stretch and Bobbito tapes were a hot commodity in pre-internet days, when the show would be introducing the world to would-be legends like Jay-Z, Big L, Nas, Wu-Tang Clan and Biggie Smalls.

The show became folklore, and for the years that the duo were on air, hip-hop grew to new levels, fueled by the passion, carefree attitude and dedication of folks like Stretch and Bobbito.

“…the most important show in the world” – Nas

Now, years later, the two are revisiting the radio career that changed lives in the form of a full-length documentary. The film provides an intimate glimpse at the show through archival recordings and footage as well as interviews of those who came through the show’s hallowed halls.

After several screenings, including Central Park as part of the city’s SummerStage series, Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives will celebrate their official Downtown New York premiere at le poisson rouge on December 8.

The event will undoubtedly bring out a who’s who of iconic hip-hop artists, participants and superfans, with the film screening, a Q&A and an after-party to follow.

As one can imagine, this is a highly coveted occasion, and Birthplace Magazine is extremely excited that we are able to help YOU witness history.

Hit us up below to be entered to win a pair of tickets to this monumental event! We’ll announce the winner by the end of the day on December 6!

For more information, visit www.stretchandbobbito.com/screenings. Click here to purchase tickets. View

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Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 7:00 p.m. – TICKETS

Stretch and Bobbito: Radio That Changed Lives

le poisson rouge, 158 Bleeker St., NYC

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