North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is launching a new Hip Hop Initiative which offers a scholarly approach to the music form that university officials believe could provide new opportunities to at risk males, better prepare students for industry careers and serve as a vehicle for creating successful experiences in educating youth.
“The position of Hip-Hop in academia has grown in recent years,” said Chancellor James H. Ammons. “Undeniably, hip-hop is one of the strongest tools by which we can reach a segment of our youth and demonstrate the ideals stated in our mission. The mission of North Carolina Central University is to prepare students academically and professionally to become leaders prepared to advance the consciousness of social responsibility in a diverse, global society.”
The initiative, which is directed by Kawachi Clemons, coordinator of NCCU’s music industry program, currently has four components — a class called “Hip Hop in Context” and a lecture series; a Hip Hop Summit scheduled for February 9 and 10, 2007; Eagle Records; and continuing education courses.
“I believe that with making students and faculty alike aware of the TRUE history and relevance of the Hip Hop Culture will assist in closing the gap between the two generations, thus creating a better understanding of what makes both generations "tick" musically,” said 9th Wonder (a.k.a. Patrick Douthit), producer and member of Little Brother.
A highlight of the initiative is the course taught by new artists in residence, successful recording stars and producers 9th Wonder, and Christopher Martin, better known as ‘Play’ from the from rap and acting duo, Kid 'n Play.
"I've had the privilege of being a part of major events that helped advance the culture of Hip Hop music, fashion and film from the boroughs of New York to world-wide,” said Martin.
“Now that I am a part of what I believe is as important or more important than anything I've done in the past,” Martin said. “This initiative is the best thing I could be committed to for the positive preservation and advancement of a culture that was used to detoured me from a very early grave."
Clemons’ plans are to develop other programs that will provide primary and secondary teachers with ways to use the genre in their classrooms through a process called transformative and culturally responsive pedagogy.
This is a practice of using the cultural knowledge, prior experiences, frames of reference and performance styles of ethnically diverse students to make learning encounters more relevant and effective for them. This method also supports the notion that students particularly those less privileged, can be encouraged toward expansive growth.
Hip Hop as a focus of intellectual discourse is gaining attention in the United States. A 2004 study conducted by the Hip Hop Archive at Harvard University (recently moved to Stanford) documented that there were over 75 Hip-Hop courses being taught in American universities. The National Museum of American History recently announced a multi-year initiative to gather a broad collection on Hip-Hop Culture that will culminate in a comprehensive exhibition. “Hip-Hop has reached well beyond its urban roots to diverse national dimensions and has been an integral part of American culture for almost 30 years,” said Brent D. Glass, director of the National Museum of American History.
“By examining the diversity and cultural influences inherent in Hip-Hop, NCCU can illustrate a macrocosm of global society through the microcosm of a culture with which most students have at least some familiarity,” said Clemons, who is working on his Ph.D. in education with a focus on culture, curriculum and change at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Hip Hop Summit
The second annual Hip Hop Summit is scheduled February 9 and 10, 2007 at NCCU. The summit is designed to assess the statp in the African American community and provide area college students with a greater understanding of the new developments in the industry and how to break into the business. General sessions and six concurrent sessions are planned as well as networking opportunities.
Some of the topics include “Men and Women: The Fight for Power in the Music Industry,” “Online Media: the wave of the future,” “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” “So You Want to be in Media: Radio, TV and Print,” and many other sessions.
The first summit was organized as a result of Little Brother’s desire to work with their alma mater to stage a community service project and support students who are interested in developing music careers.
Eagle Records/Media
Eagle Records will serve as an interdisciplinary collaboration between Academic and Student Affairs. The student run label seeks to provide students the opportunity to see first hand the daily intricacies of the recording and entertainment industries. Through experiential based learning, students will be exposed to: marketing concepts, music publishing, retailing of sheet music, music books and magazines, production, distribution, and sales of recorded music.
NCCU is currently expanding its facilities to include a second state-of-the art recording studio housing a Pro Tools HD Accel System, which is standard in the industry. It is also establishing a listening and screening room, with a 5.1 surround sound system and 42″ plasma display. There will also be a post-production room.
Two new state of the art digital editing stations are being created with the software Final Cut Pro and an array of high definition cameras. This equipment will be used to video tape guest lecturers and develop a series called the “Architects of Hip Hop.”
Hip-Hop Course and Lecture Series
MUSL 1001 Hip Hop in Context examines the cultural phenomenon through its development, history, communication style, dance form, music, and artistic process. Throughout the course, students will explore the dynamics of race, gender, youth, and class. The course will employ various sources for analysis and information including: videos, commercials, movies, songs and other multimedia sources.
The course is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays this semester from 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. In an effort to advance ongoing academic discourse on Hip-Hop, a lecture series will be developed.
Potential topics include: Hip-Hop in education: An integrated approach; Hip- Hop, the media, and theories of representation; and Hip-Hop and gender.
Douthit and Martin will bring real world experience to the classroom at NCCU. Douthit performs with and produces the Hip Hop group Little Brother, as well as producing songs and whole albums for other famous names like Jay Z, Destiny's Child, Mary J. Blige, De La Soul, Memphis Bleek, and Buckshot Shorty (a.k.a. Kenyatta Blake) from Black Moon. Currently, he is working on a solo album entitled Dream Merchant 2.0.
In addition to performing Hip Hop and touring with artists such as Salt ‘n Pepa, Tupac Shakur, Digital Underground, NWA, and Public Enemy, Martin has his own Holy Hip Hop Music label distributed globally through EMI.
He is executive director of two video production houses: HP4 Digital Works and Solutions; and Amen Films, distributed under the Maverick Entertainment Group Spirit label. Director film credits include the documentary series Welcome to Durham, USA about gang violence and also Holy Hip Hop The Movie presenting the Christian Hip Hop music and cultural phenomenon. Martin and 9th Wonder are teaching the course in conjunction with Clemons and Dr. Candace Bailey, associate professor of music.
Continuing Education Programs
E-Learning Music Production and Music Business certification programs are being developed through the NCCU University College. The program will include credit and non-credit offerings. The course offerings will be available in fall 2007.
WUNC State of Things
mp3 file (music)
Enrolling In Hip-Hop 101
pdf file (requires adobe acrobat)
World News Webcast featuring Christopher Martin
