Sage Cadence

Hello ! I am currently reading "Pulse of the People" by Lakeyta M. Bonnette.

Hip Hop is inclusive of both a musical genre and a culture. Throughout the semester, many new ideas have been presented that have enhanced my understanding of Hip Hop. The five elements of Hip Hop which include: MC'ing, DJ'ing, breakdancing, graffiti and knowledge of self were one of the many concepts that were introduced in class. Learning the foundations of Hip Hop is integral to understanding how Hip Hop has manifested to its present state. Individuals outside this course should understand that Hip Hop has had a strong female presence since its inception. Women may not have received their due credit in the Hip Hop industry, however those not familiar with this genre or culture should know that women serve more than just vixens that are often portrayed in music videos. Women have contributed to every facet in Hip Hop that make up the five elements. This information is vital for individuals to know because it will lessen the amount of bias presented in Hip Hop culture. Participating in Wikipedia either as a reader or an editor allows for the use of knowledge to expand to large audiences. Editing Wikipedia articles pertaining to Hip Hop is important because the musical genre can be misconstrued with ideas from individuals who may not be well versed in this culture. Individuals who are fluent in Hip Hop should be the ones conveying the most information on Wikipedia having to do with this content. Studying Hip Hop in present day society is needed because today's sound is very different from the origins of Hip Hop. The beginnings of Hip Hop began with a revolutionary and self-awareness ideology.

Today's Hip Hop consists mostly of a party commercialized lifestyle. It seems Hip Hop has strayed away from its true meaning since its inception, however this culture has been able to maintain its vitality in capital sales and captivating audiences worldwide. Hip Hop is missing the components it began with regarding self-awareness, unity and self-worth. Audiences who represent marginalized communities that patronize the Hip Hop culture should aim to reignite this frame of mind. Regarding the course itself, I felt the class was very interactive and provided excellent resources for students to read and watch. The cyphers implemented during class time were a great way for students to experiment how to interact with others through the use of word play and exchanging ideas. A lesson plan that should be used on a regular basis within this course is having students form groups in which they share which Hip Hop songs they listen to on their playlist. Afterward, they should discuss what they have learned from listening to the music they’ve disclosed with others. When this took place during class, I felt the students were more at ease in articulating their ideas on Hip Hop music to their peers. Overall, I felt this course was a great class and is needed in the department curriculum.