Unit II - Street Lit, Pimps, Hoes, Bitches and 'other' queer identities in HH

Hetero and homonormative are two tenets we interrogated during this unit.  We also examined queerness in HH. Several of you learned about black masculine's "unwritten" urinal rule as well as the dap or butt slapping as "queer."  We shared, debated, laughed, and disagreed.  This unit usually challenges you the most in thinking "differently."  As we finish, we'll discuss the ladies.  From Jean Grae and Lil Kim to Nicki Minaj as well as "pimps" like Snoop, Iceberg Slim, and Ice-T who appear somewhat "feminized" in their queer performativity as metrosexuals, yet whose undeniable patriarchal manipulation and domination of women remain problematic.  So, I ask - will Hip-Hop have a future without the continued hypersexualization of women?  Why or why not? (Please remember to follow the blog rubric found on the syllabus)

Due: Wed., 3/1/17 by the beginning of class.

Unit I - Origins, Innovation, and founding fathers - Blog I

 
 


I'm always intrigued with the origins and contributions of our early HH artists.  And, we have discussed and viewed quite a bit.  While we may have been familiar with a few of these folks or concepts, some undoubtedly was lost. Nonetheless, we have quite a bit of richness. We can enjoy these contributions through various ways: listening, partying, and perhaps even being inspired to create our own "new" sounds.  So, I'd like to ask you to identify which origin fact, contribution or innovation resonated with you the most from this unit, and why?

Due: Wed., 5/31/17 by the beginning of class.