Hip Hop is a powerful connective tissue that has brought forth the struggles and injustices, the beauty and the hope of communities around the world.
Hip Hop education is a growing movement to connect with students using a language and cultural context that speaks to them. Discussions about representation, race, identity and community are explored using Hip Hop lyrics, artwork, storytelling and reflection. Through Hip Hop culture, we actively acknowledge life's challenges, collectively support ways for change and spread this awareness as a matter of principle.
It’s an expression of culture and self-knowledge that works towards community building and personal empowerment. Through music, dance, visual arts, language and fashion, Hip Hop challenges identity politics and is its own form of social activism.
The best teachers are like Hip Hop producers: study the classics, select the best parts, then add some new flavour.
@chrisemdin
Hart House has worked with a variety of campus and community partners to put together a series of events and activities to explore Hip Hop culture from all angles. From drop-in breakdancing sessions and Hip Hop yoga to community dialogue sessions featuring popular figures from the Hip Hop community. There are even DJ workshops and our UTSC Producers’ Circle where you can explore creatively and develop the techniques and skills needed to produce your own music. See all Hart House Hip Hop Education events.
This year, Hart House created a Hip Hop inspired Human Library at the St. George and Scarborough campuses. Human Library brings together human books with readers to openly share their stories in a safe environment. Using personal dialogue to challenge stigma and stereotypes, the Human Library calls for participants to “unjudge someone.”
Our Humanz of Hip Hop events presented human books from the Hip Hop community. Hart House worked in partnership with Prajj Rajawat from the Hart House Film Board to produce this short video that offers a taste of this unique experience.
