At this weekend’s Hip Hop As A Movement Conference, University of Wisconsin-Madison students will have this rare opportunity to look beyond the gangsta-type lyrics commonly associated with the genre. Today will commence a three-day look at a series of performances, discussion panels, film screenings, exhibitions, dance demonstrations and workshops addressing the hip-hop community’s involvement with anti-militarism.
The conference features various hip-hop artists on discussion panels, including rappers Smif N Wessun, Buckshot, hip-hop activist Davey D, Charlie Ahearn of “Wild Style” fame, photographer Ernie Paniciolli, and Brooklyn-rappers Rise & Shine. Civil rights activist and comedian Dick Gregory will also be speaking.
The conference kicks off tonight with a free performance by local and national artists at 7:30 p.m. on the Memorial Union Terrace.
Hip Hop As A Movement is sponsored by various student organizations dedicated to promoting on campus diversity, including Hip Hop Generation, WSUM 91.7FM, the Multi Cultural Center, Associated Students of Madison, and the Wisconsin Union Directorate.
Each year, The Hip Hop As A Movement conference raises a diverse array of issues affecting American society. Student organizers utilize the conference as a way to demonstrate the global influence of hip hop music as a culture, promote on campus diversity, and raise awareness about issues affecting young people of color.
By bringing national and local artists, such as Young Bloodz and Afrika Bambaataa, to the UW campus, students, professors, and community members, can openly discuss the political and social class issues related to diversity.
“This is a rare opportunity to talk about diversity,” said Errol Packard, WSUM Music Director. “At one concert last year, I remember standing in a room with an old woman, a punk with a Mohawk, and gangster thug.”
Since 1999, various media outlets such as BET and MTV have covered the annual Hip Hop Generation, and thus attracted national attention to the idea of using hip-hop as a protest.
“Our conference has been a model for Harvard, Columbia, University of Illinois, and Howard University” said Packard.
Packard notes that while UW has a huge student population of nearly 42,000, only about ten percent, or about 4,200 students, comprise of ethnic minority groups. And because hip-hop music has been traditionally associated with African-American and Latino populations, Packard finds it remarkable that the conference has been such a success.
Through hip-hop, participants can see how music can raise class and social consciousness, ultimately affected all populations.
“We want to show that events like this, which build diversity and attract a wide range of attendants, can happen at UW-Madison” said Errol.
Those interested in attending this weekend’s conference should go online to www.hiphopgeneration.org, or register in person at Union South for conference and workshops starting Saturday at 10:30 a.m.
