50 years of hip hop – popular culture, social commentary, political inspirations

On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc, one of the three pioneers of hip hop, organized a back to school party in the recreation room of the apartment building located on 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in Bronx, New York. This event is now recognized as the birth of hip hop. The park jams where DJs would spin records, especially the break beats parts that young people would dance to, while the MC (master of ceremony) would hype the crowd, have provided the blueprint to the nascent hip hop culture.

This year, the celebrations of the 50^th anniversary of hip hop has taken over the world. For what was considered a mere fad at its inception, has become a major force affecting all aspects of today’s popular culture. Hip hop DJs have contributed to major technological advances. Graffiti artists have challenged the narrow notions of what is considered art. Bboys and bgirls have brought acrobatic elements to dance; breakdance will be featured for the first time at the 2024 summer Olympics. And rappers have become business moguls.

Hip hop music in particular builds on the rich history and legacy of African American music and oral traditions. While popular music can serve as a form of escapism with a purpose of having fun and enjoying to good thing sin live, it has also inspired social change by providing voices of opposition. And rap music is no different. Labeled as “CNN of black people” by Chuck D, the front man of one of the iconic political rap group Public Enemy, hip hop is also recognized as a platform for social and political commentary. As so many genres of African American music before rap, each era demonstrates a commitment to social change through responding in songs to the development of major social movements. Hence it is no coincidence that, for example, Kendrick Lamar’s song “Alright” has been the anthem of the Black Lives Matters movement.

How does music and musicians contribute to the quest for social justice, inclusion and equity? What was the role of musicians during social movements throughout our history? What are the ways musicians of different genres tackle the topics of race, class, and sexuality? What makes a song “political”? How is music used as a therapeutic tool? Is there a dark side to music? We will explore these and other topics in the SUNY Empire Winter intensive course Popular Music and Social Justice.

Anna Oravcová, Ph.D.

SUNY Empire State University, Prague Program Coordinator

Written by

Anna Oravcová