The history of hip-hop is rich in rich in history and needs to be examined, which is why the Student Leadership Association is holding Hip Hop day, according to SLA Event Planner Jayne Nelson.
Hip Hop: It Never Stops, will happen Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. at the stage area in the basement of Building 8.
“We just wanted to have a day where we could talk about hip-hop, the past and where it is going,” Nelson said. “Hip-Hop is very influential in culture and I believe if we want a better future for hip-hop, we must look into its history.”
Throughout the event there will be Hip Hop music played, and a performance by artist Vickey Stylez along with dancers.
“We’re going to play some ‘old school’ music like Mc Lyte, Queen Latifah, Eric B and Rakim,” Nelson said. “Some of the music a lot of people would consider real hip-hop and which can help point us in the direction we need to go.”
There will also be a guest speaker present that will talk about hip-hop, Nelson said. Rev Jerome McCorry is a Civil Rights Activist, ordained Minister, and social hip-hop critic.
“Rev. McCorry will talk and give his opinion about hip hop,” Nelson said. “He will give talk about the history of hip-hop, and how it can grow in the future.”
People who attend the event and believe they know a lot about hip-hop can join in the trivia game that will be held.
The questions mix in older and more current hip-hop history, and are based on who did what? When they did it? Or, what album did something happen, Nelson said.
For example, one question is: In 1986, _________, a new female rap group released their debut album “Hot, Cool & Vicious.” Who was this group?
“The winner of the trivia game will receive a certificate,” Nelson said. “The certificate is to show who won and let others know that this person really knows hip-hop.”
The SLA hope that this event can shed some light on hip-hop, inform people of its past and look toward a better future.
“A lot of people don’t like the current state of hip-hop,” Nelson said. “And the only way we can handle it is to educate ourselves and work toward changing where it is now. Hip-hop is not just music, it’s our culture.”