When discussing popular culture, Hip-hop is definitely a large and influential aspect of it, especially for Youth. However, the controversy with using Hip Hop music in education is that Hip Hop culture has a negative stigma that is associated with it. Many hip-hop songs have messages that encourage drug and alcohol use and the objectification of women. However, educators should not be fearful of bringing hip hop into the classroom to educate student. In schools media literacy is a priority in order to teach students how to critically analyze and evaluate the messages presented by the media. In the same way, students are going to be exposed to hip hop music, and it is important for educators to embrace this and help create listeners who are mindful of what they are listening to rather than being ignorant to it. That being said, it is important to note that many songs have powerful messages and should be recognized as an art form.
Hip Hop as Poetry
One of the most significant and relevant ways to introduce Hip Hop into the classroom is to analyze it as a work of poetry. Hip Hop songs have beats, and rhymes and similes and can be a great tool to teach students these poetry techniques through an engaging and relevant medium for them. Hip Hop music also contains more complex literary techniques. A double entendre is a word or phrase open to two interpretations. This can be a difficult concept to grasp however many artists skillfully use this technique in their music. In the song American Dream by Jay Z he raps, “survive the drought, I wish you well” with the first meaning being that in a drought you will need a well full of water to survive, the second meaning being good luck wishes for getting through. It also can be taught to show the distinction between double entendres and homophones which can be easily confused. A famous quote by Jay Z in a Kanye West Song is “Im not a businessman, I’m a business, man”. Even though it seemingly has two meanings it is a homophone because the pronunciation of the same word is implying two different things.
Hip Hop as Art
Like any work of Art, many Hip Hop musicians tell stories through their music and can be interpreted in many ways. Rap genius is a great resource for educators to help students understand the underlying messages of hip hop lyrics. Songs that students may listen to over and over again without really knowing what the meaning is behind what they are mindlessly singing along to. I am also guilty of this myself. When Kanye West released his song Home Coming it quickly became a favourite of mine. Like other rap songs, it seems that Kanye is rapping about a girl he met and used to love. It was not until years later I had mentioned to a friend I had loved that song and they told me the song was not about actually about a girl but the whole song was written about his home town Chicago.
When Kanye raps
I met this girl when I was 3 year old
And what I loved most she had so much soul
She said “Excuse me lil homey, I know you don’t know me
But, my name is Windy and I like to blow trees”
Originally these lyrics seem to imply Kanye West had met this girl at the young age of three. When he raps in the song it sounds as if he is saying Wendy and blowing trees seems to imply a girl who likes to smoke marijuana. Instead the real meaning alludes to Kanye moving to Chicago at the age of the three, Chicago being known as the windy city. Once known it seems very apparent that Kanye is very clearly talking about Chicago. This deeper meaning is just one of the ways that the song can be analyzed as a work of poetry and art.
Hip Hop and the Big Issues
There are many teachable moments that can be found with hip hop. Many Hip Hop songs also cover very relevant and important topics. Artist Macklemore wrote song Same Love that became very popular and addressed about LGBT rights and issues. Aside from discussing important issues, the culture itself can also be analyzed and broken down. A recent and relevant topic that came up in one of my classes was an argument, or “beef”, between Toronto rapper Drake and Meek Mill. The argument between the two rappers started when Meek Mill tweeted a comment that indicated that he uses ghost writers in his music. This generated a great discussion about plagiarism and authenticity and whether having a Ghost Writer makes Drake less talented and how this impacts whether or not they will continue to respect him as an artist. The opinions were varied but it was a great way to discuss a current issue regarding hip hop.
Undeniably Hip Hop is valuable tool that can be used to teach many different things. It is important for teachers to utilize it not only as a medium for teaching curriculum content but also because it is so important to educate students about what they are listening to and interpreting and being aware of what what the real messages are.
Hip Hop as Poetry
One of the most significant and relevant ways to introduce Hip Hop into the classroom is to analyze it as a work of poetry. Hip Hop songs have beats, and rhymes and similes and can be a great tool to teach students these poetry techniques through an engaging and relevant medium for them. Hip Hop music also contains more complex literary techniques. A double entendre is a word or phrase open to two interpretations. This can be a difficult concept to grasp however many artists skillfully use this technique in their music. In the song American Dream by Jay Z he raps, “survive the drought, I wish you well” with the first meaning being that in a drought you will need a well full of water to survive, the second meaning being good luck wishes for getting through. It also can be taught to show the distinction between double entendres and homophones which can be easily confused. A famous quote by Jay Z in a Kanye West Song is “Im not a businessman, I’m a business, man”. Even though it seemingly has two meanings it is a homophone because the pronunciation of the same word is implying two different things.
Hip Hop as Art
Like any work of Art, many Hip Hop musicians tell stories through their music and can be interpreted in many ways. Rap genius is a great resource for educators to help students understand the underlying messages of hip hop lyrics. Songs that students may listen to over and over again without really knowing what the meaning is behind what they are mindlessly singing along to. I am also guilty of this myself. When Kanye West released his song Home Coming it quickly became a favourite of mine. Like other rap songs, it seems that Kanye is rapping about a girl he met and used to love. It was not until years later I had mentioned to a friend I had loved that song and they told me the song was not about actually about a girl but the whole song was written about his home town Chicago.
When Kanye raps
I met this girl when I was 3 year old
And what I loved most she had so much soul
She said “Excuse me lil homey, I know you don’t know me
But, my name is Windy and I like to blow trees”
Originally these lyrics seem to imply Kanye West had met this girl at the young age of three. When he raps in the song it sounds as if he is saying Wendy and blowing trees seems to imply a girl who likes to smoke marijuana. Instead the real meaning alludes to Kanye moving to Chicago at the age of the three, Chicago being known as the windy city. Once known it seems very apparent that Kanye is very clearly talking about Chicago. This deeper meaning is just one of the ways that the song can be analyzed as a work of poetry and art.
Hip Hop and the Big Issues
There are many teachable moments that can be found with hip hop. Many Hip Hop songs also cover very relevant and important topics. Artist Macklemore wrote song Same Love that became very popular and addressed about LGBT rights and issues. Aside from discussing important issues, the culture itself can also be analyzed and broken down. A recent and relevant topic that came up in one of my classes was an argument, or “beef”, between Toronto rapper Drake and Meek Mill. The argument between the two rappers started when Meek Mill tweeted a comment that indicated that he uses ghost writers in his music. This generated a great discussion about plagiarism and authenticity and whether having a Ghost Writer makes Drake less talented and how this impacts whether or not they will continue to respect him as an artist. The opinions were varied but it was a great way to discuss a current issue regarding hip hop.
Undeniably Hip Hop is valuable tool that can be used to teach many different things. It is important for teachers to utilize it not only as a medium for teaching curriculum content but also because it is so important to educate students about what they are listening to and interpreting and being aware of what what the real messages are.