LL Cool J has teamed with NFL legend Peyton Manning to executive produce the new series Hip Hop Was Born Here, which is set to premiere on Paramount+ on July 22.

The first trailer shows LL traveling through New York City rap history as the Queens legend speaks to a wide variety of NYC rap icons to paint explain how hip-hop came to fruition.

“To understand the power of hip-hop today, you gotta go back to where it all started,” LL says in the clip as he ventures to the Bronx to scope out hip-hop’s origins.

Peyton Manning is on board via his Omaha Productions company.

“We were lucky to partner with [LL Cool J], Rock the Bells, and Paramount on Hip Hop Was Born Here,” says executive producer Manning in a statement. “Music is far from my area of expertise, but sports and music have a lot of similarities. Both require hard work and commitment, and at their best, both bring people together.”

Forever a keeper of hip-hop’s legacy, LL COOL J also just wrapped another successful year of the Rock The Bells Festival. Held at the Prudential Center in New Jersey, the 2025 show featured rousing performances from acts like Capone-N-Noreaga, Remy Ma, Busta Rhymes, Rakim, Too $hort and Scarface.

The series will feature appearances from stars like Jadakiss, Marley Marl, Roxanne Shante, Method Man, Big Daddy Kane, Rev. Run and more.

“The story of hip hop, especially in New York City, is an important one to tell, and there’s no one better than Todd to tell it.”

Watch the trailer for Hip-Hop Was Born Here below:

  – YouTube  www.youtube.com