This class interested me because this is a topic that has been around me my entire life. I live in Harlem, where one still sees traces of hip hop. Places like the Apollo Theatre and the Hip Hop Culture Center that highlight black culture are constant reminders that hip hop still lives. Movies that are still considered “popping” like Juice are also examples of pieces that showcase some of hip hops legacies. However, even though I have been learning about hip hop since a very young age, I wanted to learn about it from a new perspective. Something that stood out to me was the fact that DJ’s saw the spinning table as a science. In order to deliver the best sounds and mixes, they had to know the board inside and out. They were scientists in their own ways.  

Another perspective that I have been exposed to is the marginalization of people through hip hop. It is apparent that many hip hop records degrade women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ community and etc. However, this is something that has become normalized because of the catchy words and tunes behind these lyrics that then become hits.  

Not only do some lyrics attack marginalized groups of people, but we see hip hop being attacked by outsiders, specifically by non people of color. I knew that hip hop was being appropriated. Yet, I did not know that it was also commodified. As discussed in one of the readings, I learned that break dancing for instance was seen as a disruption. Many people did not want to be around these performers. Nonetheless, as soon as they found a way to make money off of them, it was okay. Even though those who invited hip hop performers to perform did not pay them, they were paid in reputation. 

I am looking forward to learning about how hip hop continued to make its mark worldwide and develop into what we see in mainstream media now.