So this semester the Mic Sessions are working on original hip hop songs leading up to an end of the year performance. We are observing community and what it means to create, be a part of and the dynamics of unique communities, their impact and power. They are in the beginning phases of their first song. Here is a sample of an early verse from Tylique, a freshman at the school:
Astoria Queens yea we call it the hate town
my manz just got hit he done from the waist down
Its hard to live free cuz the bullets fly reckless
and if you get hit once you have to respect its hectic.
lil shorties out here is gettin pregnant
homies sell rocks better then they could write a sentence
they senseless 25 to life is their sentence
They gotta get hit up to come to their senses.
they could get out and not have a thing to regret.
bloods, crips they reppin their set
skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Welcome to one of Working Playground's network ArtSpace blogs!
This blog is part of Long Island City's afterschool hip hop performance program.
Essential Question: What is Community?
Foundation Statement:
Essential Question: What is Community?
Foundation Statement:
In New York City, conditions such as gentrification and the displacement of neighborhoods that cyclically occurs creates tensions as well as fertile ground for new communities, ideas and culture to emerge. One of the most profound periods of change in the cities history was during the 1970’s in the South Bronx. Its destruction gave rise to a new culture and type of community, Hip Hop. In this studio, students will study cultural “artifacts” (pictures, documents, video) and use hip hop performance/production to express the ideas of their own communities, and explore through their original works of hip hop music the various communities they are a part of. Student’s critical analysis of past physical and artistic communities, their relationships, and the literal power they generated will allow them to find that same strength in the communities they are a part of and create a unique expression.