Additional Readings For Hip-Hop and Social Movements

December 7, 2016
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Intro-Related Videos:

These videos give descriptions (first video), and visual depictions (second video) of how hip-hop being a major part of youth and modern culture can pave a way for it to enact change, as mentioned in the introduction.  The context is slightly different than what is described in our report.  Rather than social movements, the videos center on how it can be used as a form of facilitation for classroom lessons in schools.  The principles, however, are used in the same way as they would be in social movements.

  1.  “The transformative power of hip-hop: Professor Lyrical at TEDxPiscataquaRiver”, Youtube, uploaded by TEDx Talks, 15 May 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVvaUAddEkg This is a TED talk explaining how hip hop can be a persuasive tool in a different environment, the classroom.  When hip-hop is used as a medium for teaching, it unconsciously communicates to students (especially of this generation) that the educator understands and appreciates their culture.  This creates a light-hearted atmosphere in a classroom, and knowing that someone of that status accepts staples of their lifestyle, students naturally open up to educational lessons.  
  2. “Hip-Hop Remixes Science”, Youtube, uploaded by THINKR, 10 June 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfp9jr5hJy8  This video gives a visual representation of what the previous TED Talk expresses.  It is about the Science Genius Pilot Program.  Developed by Columbia University professor Dr. Chris Emdin, the program applies hip-hop music to science in a 9th grade science class in the Bronx.  The students begin the day with reluctance to engage in a science lesson, but quickly warm up to it as the course progresses and they are tasked with writing raps about the science concepts that they learn.

Derrick Luster:

  1. Chang, Jeff. We Gon’ Be Alright: Notes on Race and Resegregation. New York, NY: Picador, 2016. Print. This book was written to explain theories of possibilities of racial resegregation and derives its title from the Kendrick Lamar song, “Alright”. It uses examples from various other Hip Hop songs, as well.
  2. Singleton, Micah. “Grammys 2016: Watch Kendrick Lamar’s Stunning Performance.” The Verge. Vox Media, 15 Feb. 2016. Web. 01 Dec. 2016. <http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/15/11004624/grammys-2016-watch-kendrick-lamar-perform-alright-the-blacker-the-berry>. This article features a video of Kendrick Lamar’s controversial Grammy performance that pointed out racial issues within the criminal justice system, and society as a whole.
  3. Netcoh, S. (2013). Droppin knowledge on race: Hip Hop, white adolescents and anti-racism education. Radical Teacher, 97, 14–18. The excerpt from this essay describes different Hip Hop artists’ controversial songs and their knack for exposing racial discriminations in America. It highlights why white people enjoy Hip Hop and the reasons it can be used as a tool to teach them about race and racism.
  4. Ahale. “Nas – Untitled.” HipHopDX. N.p., 14 July 2008. Web. 01 Dec. 2016. <http://hiphopdx.com/reviews/id.976/title.nas-untitled>. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Untitled_Nas_album These two links discuss the “Untitled” album by Nas, released in 2008, that talks about race. It is another controversial work that takes on a the teacher’s role regarding the struggles of minorities.

David Cohen:

  1. “Commercials with Peripheral Persuasion”, Youtube, uploaded by taliacjones, 15 February 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OTVcByOTzo This is a video with five examples of commercials intended to move audiences via the peripheral route of persuasion.  They focus on appearance, either by using song and dance, catchphrases, funny characters, or a “cause and effect” style of presentation, without resorting to facts about the products that they are trying to advertise.  Somebody watching one of the commercials might think “That song was really catchy!  Maybe I will give this product a chance and find out if it really is good!” just like somebody persuaded peripherally by rap music to join a social movement might think “I may not know the facts, but I love rap music, so I am going to see what this cause is all about. Maybe there is even a way I can contribute with my rapping skills if I choose to continue supporting it.”  
  2. “Snoop Lion ft. Drake and Cori B. ‘No Guns Allowed’ (Official Video)”. Youtube, uploaded by Noisey, 2 April 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqo9gPxT6A8 This is Snoop’s song that inspired his campaign.

Ryan Paxson:

  1. Vincent Funaro. “Religion in Hip-Hop: Reconciling Rap and Religion.” Christian News, The Christian Post. 26 Oct. 2012. Web. 05 Dec. 2016. http://www.christianpost.com/news/religion-in-hip-hop-reconciling-rap-and-the-gospel-83980/ This article interviews Dr. Monica R. Miller a Religious Studies Professor at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon and asks her questions geared towards religion’s role in Hip-Hop.
  2. Stone, Jamal. “A Deep Dive into The Religious Symbolism in Kanye’s ‘Life Of…” Milk. 22 Feb. 2016. Web. 05 Dec. 2016. https://milk.xyz/articles/get-familiar-with-the-religious-symbolism-in-kanyes-life-of-pablo/ A breakdown of the most influential hip-hop artists religious symbolism in his recent gospel album “The Life of Pablo”.
  3. Sonny, Julia. “How Chance The Rapper Is Helping The City Of Chicago In Amazing Ways.”Elite Daily. N.p., 27 May 2016. Web. 05 Dec. 2016. http://elitedaily.com/music/how-chance-the-rapper-helping-chicago/1455441/ This article goes through all of the amazing ways Chance the Rapper is helping his home city of Chicago
  4. Legaspi, Althea. “Kendrick Lamar to Receive Key to Compton.” Rolling Stone. 14 Jan. 2016. Web. 05 Dec. 2016. http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/kendrick-lamar-to-receive-key-to-compton-20160114 This article talks about Kendrick Lamar receiving the key to the City of Compton for all the work he has done to improve its violent situation. It discusses many of the ways he helps the city positively move forward.

Paul Camarda:

  1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3Z8cSvpLlw&t=1s An interesting compilation of how American media and politics react to hip-hop.
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wV8gML6DIiI A concise ted talk on some of the amazing things hip-hop is doing overseas.