Hip Hop...Have We Forgotten Who We Are?

The fact that hip-hop music has changed the face of American and world wide culture has for many years been common knowledge. However, in the beginning stages of hip-hop culture, the messages and themes in the music were far different than what is dominating the marketplace today. What was it that shifted this powerfully influential art form from one of empowerment through story telling, to one of blatant self-degradation and misogyny?

In this powerful and controversial lecture on the current state of hip-hop, Essential MC will deeply explore the overt and hidden messages in popular hip-hop music of the day. Where does the responsibility lie? Is it in the hands of record company conglomerates, music video outlets and radio stations, the artists, and/or the actual fans? This presentation will enlighten future leaders to make more conscientious decisions as to the sound vibrations that they allow themselves to be so heavily inundated with.


OBJECTIVES:

* Empower the next generation of leaders to take a stand for what they allow to enter their psyche through audio and video suggestions
* Illustrate how we, as members of the hip-hop community, have allowed for self degradation and misogyny to be acceptable components in our every day lives
* Encourage young decision makers to take responsibility for the lives that they create for themselves, by understanding the power of the subconscious mind.

PARTICIPANTS WILL LEARN:

* The short and long term effects of being inundated with negative music and video imagery
* What they can personally and collectively do to make a difference in the state of hip hop and world culture
* The importance of creating art that not only is free and self expressive, but also empowering and uplifting.