 "Photo: Nicole Reed - Staff Photographer")
"Whoever thought that hip-hop could take it this far," asked Howard Ph.D. student Joshua Kondwani Wright, quoting acclaimed hip-hop artist the Notorious B.I.G.. As chair of Thursday's Hip-Hop and Higher Education Symposium, Wright along with various speakers came together to explore the culture of hip-hop and help to infuse it into academics.
Co-sponsored by the Howard Graduate School and the Moorland Spingarn Research Center, heads of the event said their goal was to discuss hip-hop on many levels.
"We're bringing people together to talk about hip-hop from an academic, political and sociological standpoint," Wright said, "I believe that hip-hop itself can be used as a toll to help educate students of all levels."
The all-day symposium had panels discussing such topics as views on hip-hop's role on higher education, why hip-hop matters at Howard University, the economic and political impact, and sex and gender roles in Hip Hop and Music Videos.
With a host of experts speakers on the topic of hip-hop, including Bakari Kitwana, author of The Hip Hop Generation, Lil Mo, hip-hop artist, Lil X, music video director, and Rev. Lennox Yearwood from The Hip-Hop Caucus, panels sat down to discuss with students all aspects of hip-hop and their importance.
Orlando Taylor, Dean of the Graduate School, although unable to attend the symposium, sent his words of encouragement saying, "some may perceive hip-hop as a fad of young African-Americans, and as something that will soon fade away [but] it has become a worldwide phenomenon."
In discussing hip-hop history, DJ Iran, radio host of 93.9 WKYS said that he felt that this was the one thing missing from hip-hop.
"It would be great for it to tell its own history. Hip-hop has earned its right to be in the realm of great music over the years," he said.
Others agreed with the radio host, stating that black people and hip-hop deserve recognition after all these years.
In a discussion entitled, 'Hustle and Flow: The Economic and Political Impact of Hip-Hop' Rev Lennox Yearwood said that, "it's not the hustle and flow, but the reason we have to hustle and flow in the first place. People have been pimping black people for a long time."
Being at a historically black institution did not stop panel members from talking about hip-hop's affect on other cultures as well.
"So many people are embracing hip-hop. I remember hearing a 'regular' white boy recite the entire words to Biggie one time and I was amazed," DJ Iran said.
Reactions from the audience were vivid when in an introduction to the discussion on sex and gender roles, the panel showed a video of recording artist Bubba Sparxx showing the butts of women in for his "Ms. New Booty" single.
Jeanni Jones, radio host for 93.9 WKYS commented to the female members of the audience. "Women we are in front of the camera a lot. I want to see us behind the camera fulfilling some of those positions you do ordinarily see us in," Jones said.
According to Wright, the underlying purpose of the event is to develop the nation's first minor in hip-hop at Howard.
"Hip-hop can serve as a bridge to break the communication gap between professors and students as well as encouraging young black men to attend and graduate from college.
Other panelists agreed with the idea to bring hip-hop into the academic light as well.
"I'm blown away by hip-hop being a possible minor. I think it will be a brave endeavor," DJ Iran said, "If Howard has to be the catalyst for hip-hop to be documented, then it is a great facilitator for it."
