Student Organization Spotlight: CSU Hip-Hop Cultural Association
New association screening documentary Style Wars Dec. 4
Christopher Enoch
Issue date: 11/30/09 Section: News
"[Graffiti] is a very misunderstood subculture within the culture of hip hop. By some, it is often viewed as an act of vandalism. Another way to look at it is as art. It's somebody making their mark, telling people: here is what I have to say," said Verzub.
Edwards did not shy away from articulating the group's education mission. "This can benefit a student's education immensely. One thing I really want to do is hold discussions on hip-hop lyrics. There are many artists like Sage Francis or Canibus who don't get mainstream coverage because there lyrics are too intelligent. For example The Guardian once called Canibus 'a walking Wikipedia of conspiracy theory.' There is even a website dedicated to deciphering his lyrics. Almost any subject covered under academia I am almost positive there is a hip-hop song about it. The lyrics in hip-hop cover more topics than any other genre," Edwards claimed.
With momentum building in hip-hop academia, universities are beginning to offer courses which explore the movement. Popular intellectuals and authors have emerged as champions of hip-hop academia, including Michael Eric Dyson, Davey D and Oliver Wang. Academic and student interests have been at the heart of the movement's progress.
"Students should get involved because hip-hop helps nurture creativity. Hip-hop is one of the most innovative cultural movements in the world. Hip-hop builds bridges between cultures. CSU is a very diverse student body. I feel that hip-hop can be that medium in which various cultures fuse together and invent something fresh and spontaneous. Rapping is a vehicle for getting a point of view or a message heard that might not be possible in other forms. Students who have strong opinions can use rap as a means to express those messages," stated Edwards.
"Anything is possible with this organization. Other universities actually offer classes about hip-hop. I think it would be cool if we could bring that same level of intellectual interest and curiosity to CSU and eventually incorporate it into the curriculum," Edwards ambitiously asserted.
Edwards did not shy away from articulating the group's education mission. "This can benefit a student's education immensely. One thing I really want to do is hold discussions on hip-hop lyrics. There are many artists like Sage Francis or Canibus who don't get mainstream coverage because there lyrics are too intelligent. For example The Guardian once called Canibus 'a walking Wikipedia of conspiracy theory.' There is even a website dedicated to deciphering his lyrics. Almost any subject covered under academia I am almost positive there is a hip-hop song about it. The lyrics in hip-hop cover more topics than any other genre," Edwards claimed.
With momentum building in hip-hop academia, universities are beginning to offer courses which explore the movement. Popular intellectuals and authors have emerged as champions of hip-hop academia, including Michael Eric Dyson, Davey D and Oliver Wang. Academic and student interests have been at the heart of the movement's progress.
"Students should get involved because hip-hop helps nurture creativity. Hip-hop is one of the most innovative cultural movements in the world. Hip-hop builds bridges between cultures. CSU is a very diverse student body. I feel that hip-hop can be that medium in which various cultures fuse together and invent something fresh and spontaneous. Rapping is a vehicle for getting a point of view or a message heard that might not be possible in other forms. Students who have strong opinions can use rap as a means to express those messages," stated Edwards.
"Anything is possible with this organization. Other universities actually offer classes about hip-hop. I think it would be cool if we could bring that same level of intellectual interest and curiosity to CSU and eventually incorporate it into the curriculum," Edwards ambitiously asserted.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
tabby
posted 11/30/09 @ 9:32 PM EST
Yippie Kai Yaa!
Tits McGee
posted 12/03/09 @ 12:06 AM EST
I am not a grampa
essay written
posted 12/06/09 @ 9:09 PM EST
It is great that exist such organizarions that keep the tradition of hip-hop and expand it.
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