| Black
Voices in Hip-hop (a four credit course) will examine the first
ten years (1968-1978) of the movement which has become known as
Hip-hop culture. While rap music has become the dominant aspect
of Hip-hop culture, it was graffiti and breakdancing which provided
the foundation. Both of these areas will be examined, not only
for their entertainment value, but for their contribution to the
struggle for equality and recognition for the underprivileged
minorities (despite the title of the course, contributions from
other groups, especially Hispanic Americans will also be covered)
whose collective voice had otherwise been muted and buried in
the impoverished neighborhoods of urban America.
Specifically, the grassroots movement which took place in the
South Bronx as a direct response to the lack of political power
and overt alienation of the working/underclass. Issues such as
urban education, urban housing, political activism (as well as
the governments response), media coverage, Black film, Black literature,
and television will be covered. Finally, the lyrics of early rap
pioneers, Grand Master Melle Mel, Kurtis Blow, Busy Bee Starski
and others will be examined in relation to the urban realities
these artists encountered during the 1970s.
By the end of this course, students will be able to view the early years of Hip-hop not only for its entertainment value, but in context with the political, social, and even global events which affected its maturation. |
