Wondery and Audible Announce “Class of ’88,” Hosted by Will Smith

Wondery, a premiere podcast studio and network, and Audible announced today the new limited audio series, Class of ’88. Hosted by Academy Award-winning actor and hip-hop icon Will Smith, the original podcast collaboration takes a celebratory look back at the year that defined the global cultural phenomenon of hip-hop. Listeners become immersed in this landmark year for music through in-depth, hilarious, and emotional interviews with the artists that helped define the genre, including Queen Latifah, Salt-N-Pepa, Darryl ‘DMC’ McDaniels, Rakim, Fab 5 Freddy, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Chuck D, J.J. Fad, and DJ Red Alert. All eight episodes of Class of ‘88 release Thursday, October 26, on Amazon Music and Audible. Prime members can listen ad-free on Amazon Music.

In the US, hip-hop reigns as the genre that influences every aspect of our culture. From fashion to film, the origins of this inventive sound can be traced back to one year: 1988. From Public Enemy to the Fresh Prince, these 12 months gave rise to the superstars and styles that continue to mark music today. Through the unique perspective and personal experiences of Will Smith, Class of ’88 reveals the milestone moments, albums, and artists that inspired a sonic evolution and secured 1988 as hip-hop’s most important year. Rich with archival material, new interviews with hip-hop’s biggest stars, and personal recollections from Smith himself, the miniseries delivers fresh, untold stories from the year that hip-hop overcame the forces that were hell-bent on blocking its rise.

“Hip-hop has been a central part of my life for over four decades,” added Will Smith. “I’m hyped to share my first-hand experiences and those of some of hip-hop’s greatest legends as we delve into the origins of one of the most influential genres of music in history.”

Class of ‘88 is produced by Wondery, Audible, Westbrook, and Awfully Nice.