This article, “Students Get Schooled on Hip-Hop at Minn. College,” inked by Associated Press writer Jeff Baenen, has sat on my computer desk since the day it was published in The Providence Journal (12/06/09). Although it may be old news to some, I think it still deserves a little extra shine. Not necessarily because it’s superbly written, but because the topic of kids going to school to learn how to “polish their MC skills,” become a DJ, and get familiar with “the business” is something I think would be interesting to discuss. Harry Chalmiers, President of McNally Smith College, had a great quote in this article, too: “The best rap is fine art. It is poetry. It is music. It is rhythm. It is color. It is living history. It is of political, societal commentary. It’s significant work. None of that is easy.” True dat, partna’.
So, my unfiltered, spontaneous opinion is as follows. On one hand I think this program will only further infest hip-hop with more people who think they have, but certainly don’t, the ability to participate within a realm of the hip-hop culture. A little snob-ish of me, but true, nonetheless. However, I can’t exactly judge an area that is home to one of the most prominent and truly dope independent hip-hop labels (Rhymesayers) in the world. There’s already a slew of talent coming out of Minnesota and I’m sure there’s more to be heard, so to that I say “school on.”
McNally Smith is also Ice Cube-endorsed. And Toki Wright, one of the newest additions to the Rhymesayers roster, is the coordinator of the 45-credit hip-hop program. King Toki gets nice — he just released an album, A Different Mirror, over the summer and I would say it is one of the better debut albums to have come out this year. Give the title track a listen:
Pretty intense song. Let us know what you think of the Toki track and feel free to give as much of your opinion on the article as you’d like. Peace.
Filed under: Hip-Hop, Music, News Tagged: | A Different Mirror, Ice Cube, Jeff Baenen, McNally Smith College, Rhymesayers, RSE, Toki Wright
