Scholarship (n):
1) serious formal study or research of a subject
2) the character, qualities, activity, or attainments of a person who has studied a subject for a long time and knows a lot about it
According to Hiphop scholar, KRS-ONE, Hiphop is a lived, participatory experience so there are limitations to a scholarly pursuit of Hiphop “knowledge.” KRS-ONE’s masterpiece, “The Gospel of Hiphop,” outlines Hiphop culture as a life path and spiritual discipline. Despite this, a few colleges and universities have developed program for the study and application of Hiphop culture. Scholars and researchers are exploring Hiphop in theory and praxis at:
Harvard University’s Hip Hop Archives
Cornell University’s The Cornell Hip Hop Collection
New York University’s NYU Hip Hop Education Center + Communiversity
Columbia University’s Institute for Minority & Urban Education
University of Wisconsin-Madison’s First Wave Learning Community
These institutions are going beyond the study of rap music to critically examine Hiphop’s cultural, political, creative and pedagogical significance. They are engaging Hiphop artists and cultural workers through dialogue, fellowships, symposia, studies, archives, creative works and community engagement projects.
The genius of Hip Hop culture’s forefathers and foremothers, although documented through scholarly content, was not established by university scholars. Hiphop’s familiarity with conventions in poetry, music, visual art and creative movement enabled these disciplines to be remixed as vehicles for personal and community transformation. Founding Hiphop artists and cultural workers delivered political commentary, presented blueprints for the way out of disenfranchised situations and changed the material conditions of their communities through self- and cultural expression, healthy competition (battles) and critical self-reflection.
Dachau Auswich, Hiroshima
A Vietnam Lenigrad Iwogima
Okinawa, Korea, the Phillipines,
Devastation death against the killing machine
Peoples in terror, the leaders made a error
And now they can’t even look in the mirror
Cause we gotta suffer while things get rougher
And that’s the reason why we got to get tougher
So learn from the past and work for the future
And don’t be a slave to no computer-Excerpt from “Beat Street Breakdown” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five ft. Melle Mel
The scholastic and prophetic quality of Hip Hop is evident in lyrics like “Beat Street Breakdown” and so many others. Hip Hop historian and PATH co-founder, Brimstone127, considers Melle Mel’s lyrics “…And don’t be a slave to no computer” to be a harbinger of what we see now – unrestrained indulgence in technology.
Pioneer MC’s not only had a way with words, but they used them to represent, analyze and critique the world around them. The self-reflective, critical nature of Hip Hop culture is reflected across the elements of foundation Hiphop culture (DJ, MC, Bboy/Bgirl & Graffiti art).
Embedded in rap lyrics were solutions to social ills that continue to plague domestic and international communities. In his 1992 track, “Teach the Children,” Rakim spit remedies for which we still wait:
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So we gotta let them know we’re hip to the script
Change the skit, or we’re about to flip
Cause we want access to happiness
Living the good life and much success
Equal opportunity
Self awareness and unity
Education, the kids need a sculpture
Teach them the abacus and their culture
And that’ll help stop the robbing, raping and killing
Poison neighborhoods are illing
But they import more keys from across seas
A drug disease hits the streets with ease
So keep on building. cause we gotta keep building
Til the answers are filled in
And make sure you don’t stop till then
And if you do, remember the children
Lyrics taken from Rap Genius (www.rapgenius.com)
PATH scholars:
– Engage in historical, philosophical and creative study of Hip Hop culture
– Study under the guidance of respected, knowledgeable Hip Hop artists and cultural workers
– Pay homage to Hiphop’s forefathers and foremothers by recognizing the powerful legacy that they left behind
– Respect the foundation (language, techniques, styles and mechanics) of their craft and build on it to create works that look, feel and sound like new but that represent the tradition of Hip Hop production in all of its forms
– Use their skills and knowledge in the interest of the common good
– Pursue their passion and purpose