Our film this week is Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap. It’s available to rent on Amazon (and if you Google the title is usually available on YouTube). https://www.amazon.com/Something-Nothing-Art-Dr-Dre/dp/B07D4Q9YMB/ref=sr_1_2?s=instant-video&ie=UTF8&qid=1530477065&sr=1-2&keywords=something+from+nothing (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
Our readings (as always) are under “files.”
We only have one question this week. From what we’ve read and viewed thus far (including this week’s readings and film), how would you characterize the relationship between hip hop culture and rap?
One way into the conversation might be to recall what you wrote last week about the controversy surrounding hip hop aesthetics (the Google video, etc) and weigh those against Professor (Mr.) Robin Kelley’s piece. Regardless of how you approach the assignment, you should (again) find a way to incorporate both this week’s readings and film into your analysis.
It might be helpful to think of your initial post as working towards your assigned definition of hip hop (due next week). In other words, use this week’s film, readings and posts to start gathering and preparing your thoughts and quotes for next week’s paper (see syllabus). It might be helpful to think of your conversations with others as part of working out your rough draft.
Hip hop is all about having a perspective, a voice. Try to think about your own voice this week. How do you enter the picture? What is your point of view? What do you want to say? How do you want to say it?
