Specials
Each week VH1 presents several hours of programming devoted to musical artists, concerts, series marathons, themed music programs and VH1 special events. Specials have included the "The White House Millennium Evening of Jazz" and "The History of Rock and Roll."

To see other programs and lesson plans click on one of the below:
Behind The Music | VH1 Storytellers | Road to Fame

And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip Hop (Part 1 and 2)
This episode features VH1's groundbreaking and innovative documentary "And You Don't Stop: 30 Years of Hip Hop," which spotlights the incredible rise of the hip hop art form from its humble beginnings in the South Bronx to the global, cultural and economic powerhouse it has become. VH1 documents this explosion in music and culture as it follows hip hop's birth in an impoverished and neglected section of New York to how it inspired a generation of downtown rockers and began to make inroads into the record business, finally to emerge as a mainstream form of music. The documentary showcases the evolution of hip hop from its initial debut at 1970s New York street parties through to the present day, where hip hop talent hails from cities across the US, and explores how and why hip hop emerged in different communities across the country. It examines the struggles and prejudice that female performers in hip hop faced in order to succeed in a male dominated art form, and concludes by noting the astonishing contemporary influence of hip hop on the worlds of high fashion, big money advertising, professional sports, and national politics.

VH1 News Presents: Soundtrack to War
This episode is an intimate, raw, and gripping account of the strength and influence of music in wartime, and illustrates how music serves as a powerful motivator to American soldiers during times of battle. The troops confide how their favorite songs help to both psyche themselves up and calm themselves back down, and they speak about how creating music encourages them to open up about their experiences in the field. Many of them find that sharing and performing songs together during the quiet downtimes not only helps to relax them, but also helps them to survive. Featuring spontaneous musical performances by battle-weary soldiers in such genres as R&B, country, gospel, and even metal, this episode showcases the uncanny ability that music has to calm, soothe, excite, inspire, and energize people even under the most extreme conditions. Please note that this show features war time footage, with some intense images.

VH1, November 2, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

LESSON PLANS:

Social Studies Curriculum
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Music Curriculum
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VH1(Inside)Out: Trey and Dave Go to Africa
This episode documents the historical, educational and spiritual journey of Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band and Trey Anastasio of the band Phish as they travel halfway around the world to Senegal, Africa to play with the legendary music group Orchestra Baobab, whose unique blend of Afro-Cuban music has been captivating and influencing international audiences for over 30 years. For Dave and Trey, who approached this venture very much as a learning experience, and who had to overcome language, cultural, and musical boundaries between themselves and their new friends, their journey took them far away from their familiar surroundings and into a new world, eventually culminating in a joint performance onstage with Orchestra Baobab in front of an audience that didn't even know their names, let alone their music. This episode emphasizes that despite their obvious differences, both sides are able to learn from, and teach one another, as well as connect on a very personal level through the common language of music.

VH1 (1:00) (YEAR)
GENRE: R&B/Soul
VH1, October 5, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

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Ultimate Albums: Alicia Keys, Songs in A Minor
It was the album that launched the career of a musical prodigy and returned old-fashioned organic soul to the charts. Amid a sea of manufactured pop kittens, Alicia Keys was the real deal - a musician who composed, produced and arranged her own music. 2001's Songs In A Minor was a stunning achievement from a major artist in the making. Combining elements of classical, hip-hop, r&b and classic soul, Keys touched a nerve with a public hungry to keep it real. Showing an emotional depth beyond her years, Keys' rookie effort debuted at No. 1, and would go on to sell five million copies and earn multiple Grammys on the strength of poignant, wise-beyond-her-years singles like "Fallin" and "Woman's Worth."

VH1 (1:00) (YEAR)
GENRE: R&B/Soul
VH1, May 4, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

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September 2003 - January 2004
VH1's 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons - Hour 5
VH1's 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons - Hour 5 In its latest edition of the acclaimed Greatest countdown series, VH1 burrows into the pop personas that have made the ultimate impact - names so familiar they're recognized and revered all over the world. This episode describes how recent history has been dominated by personalities and how these icons have shaped history. The 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons is wide in scope, accounting for television characters (Gilligan and Miss Piggy) cartoon favorites (Bugs Bunny and Scooby Doo), Hollywood heroes (Rock Hudson and Jim Carrey), Political figures (John F. Kennedy, Sr. and Rudy Giuliani) and of course rock stars (Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones). Important emphasis is based on how the electronic age has shaped knowledge and experiences through television and music. The five part series will reveal new tidbits of information about the Icons based on their subject's longstanding cultural significance. Hour 5 explores such greats as Elvis Presley, John Travolta, Frank Sinatra, Kurt Cobain, Lucille Ball and more!

VH1 (1:00) (YEAR)
MUSIC: MUSIC HISTORY
VH1's 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons - Hour 5
VH1, January 6, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

These lesson plans are to be used in conjunction with the 5-part series "200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons." The Standards-based lessons focus primarily on the musicians included on the list, but also incorporate several of the non-musician icons who may have a surprising role in the world of music. The wide range of styles and eras represented by the music icons allows for exciting lessons that look into topics such as TV music, cross-over performers, women in music, and even our favorite cartoon characters.  Taking some time to study the impact these icons have had on our society over the decades is a worthwhile addition to curriculum in the music and social studies classroom.

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February 2004
True Spin
VH1's "True Spin" is the definitive show that uncovers the truth behind the classic songs of our time. Within the tapestry of our pop culture, myths about our favorite songs flourish exponentially. However, every song has its own original and unique story. True Spin will ask all sorts of important questions about the origins of these songs. Why were the songs written, what was the cultural significance as well as the social climate at the time. The show features songs such as Born in the USA, Losing My Religion, Back in Black, Ray of Light, Rio, Under The Bridge, Every Breath You Take, The Safety Dance, In The Air Tonight and Walk Like an Egyptian.

VH1 (1:00) (YEAR)
MUSIC: MUSIC HISTORY
True Spin
VH1, February 3, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

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March 2004
Moulin Rouge
VH1's "Movies That Rock" features film favorites plus all new VH1 Original Movies made exclusively for VH1 viewers. This month "Movies that Rock" showcases Moulin Rouge - a visually opulent, heartrending musical story reminisicent of the opera La Boheme. Christian (Ewan McGregor), a young wannabe Bohemian poet living in 1899 Paris, defies his father by joining the colorfully diverse clique inhabiting the dark, fantastical underworld of Paris' now legendary Moulin Rouge. The poet-innocent finds himself plunged into a passionate but ultimately tragic love affair with Satine (Nicole Kidman), the club's famous star. Their romance is played out against the infamous club and brings to life the culture of belle époque Paris with magical realism. With music drawn from familiar 20th century sources and incorporated with operatic arias this episode explores the integral way that music and pop culture are intertwined.

VH1 (1:00) (YEAR) MUSIC: Opera, Modern Pop Moulin Rouge VH1, Part 1, March 2, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT
VH1, Part 2, March 9, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

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March 2004
Behind The Movie: Chicago
A timeless tale crackling with crime and corruption... when Chicago was released as a major motion picture in 2002, the film was peppered with a star-studded cast of vixens and villains, featuring a soundtrack full of spicy hip-hop tracks and pop confections. Richard Gere learned how to tap dance, Catherine Zeta-Jones found a decade old dancing groove was still intact, and Renee Zellweger learned to sing and dance with the best of them. The twenties tale introduced a whole new generation to vaudeville. Behind The Movie shows you, through never-before-seen footage and interviews, how a film that almost never saw the light of day became the runaway hit of the year.

VH1 (1:00) (YEAR) MUSIC: Music History, Broadway
VH1, March 16, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

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March 2004
VH1's 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons - Hour 2
In its latest edition of the acclaimed Greatest countdown series, VH1 burrows into the pop personas that have made the ultimate impact - names so familiar they're recognized and revered all over the world. This episode describes how recent history has been dominated by personalities and how these icons have shaped history. The 200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons is wide in scope, accounting for television characters (Gilligan and Miss Piggy) cartoon favorites (Bugs Bunny and Scooby Doo), Hollywood heroes (Rock Hudson and Jim Carrey), Political figures (John F. Kennedy, Sr. and Rudy Giuliani) and of course rock stars (Jimi Hendrix and the Rolling Stones). Important emphasis is based on how the electronic age has shaped knowledge and experiences through television and music. The five part series will reveal new tidbits of information about the Icons based on their subject's longstanding cultural significance. Hour 2 explores such greats as Julie Andrews, Gwen Stefani, Prince, David Bowie, Mr. Rogers and more!

VH1 (1:00) (YEAR)
MUSIC: MUSIC HISTORY
VH1, March 23, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

These lesson plans are to be used in conjunction with the 5-part series "200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons." The Standards-based lessons focus primarily on the musicians included on the list, but also incorporate several of the non-musician icons who may have a surprising role in the world of music. The wide range of styles and eras represented by the music icons allows for exciting lessons that look into topics such as TV music, cross-over performers, women in music, and even our favorite cartoon characters.  Taking some time to study the impact these icons have had on our society over the decades is a worthwhile addition to curriculum in the music and social studies classroom.

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March 2004
FanClub: Dave Matthews Band
In this episode, VH1 FanClub delves into world of being the fan of the highly popular Alternative Rock Band. The show features a sports agent who is constantly trying to convert her friends to become DMB fans; a housewife and cancer research fundraiser who makes tribute videos using DMB music; a college student who credits DMB for helping her get through the student shootings in Littleton, CO; and a Delta Airlines ramp agent who is able to fly all over the country to see DMB in concert. VH1 FanClub explores the connection between the artists and their fan base. This episode explores the lives of these diehard devotees whose lives are defined by the music they love.

VH1 (1:00) (YEAR)
MUSIC: POP/ROCK
VH1, March 30, 4am ET/MT/PT, 3am CT

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April 2004
VH1 News Presents: AIDS: A Pop Culture History

For more information and materials, please click here.