Hip Hop is revered all over the world, but not everyone knows the history of Hip Hop, unless they grew up during its inception or consider themselves Hip Hop Heads. Creator and teacher of the Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program, Sebastien Elkouby, wants us to know that Hip Hop is also a great learning tool for youth.

Tell us who you are and what you do with Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture -

My name is Sebastien Elkouby and I'm the creator and teacher of the Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program.  This program is an innovative music, language arts, and social studies program, which uses Hip Hop culture as a medium to assist low-performing high school students in developing their language skills, life skills, and global awareness.  What also makes the program special is that it is one of the few of its kind offered as a regular class, rather than an after-school or summer program.

• Explain what Hip Hop culture is, for those that may be misinformed -

Hip Hop Culture is commonly recognized by its main elements: Graffiti, Djing, Break dancing (B-boying), Mcing (Rapping), and Beat boxing.  However, these elements are simply forms of art designed to express a deeper meaning.  At its core, Hip Hop is so much more than mere art and entertainment.  Hip Hop is the constantly evolving spirit and consciousness of urban youth that keeps recreating itself in a never-ending cycle.  It is joy, sorrow, pleasure, pain, victory, defeat, anger, happiness, confusion, clarity, humor, intensity, dream, nightmare, life, death, and everything else in between.  It is the spirit that connects the past to the present and lays a path towards the future.  The spirit of Hip Hop is the same as Jazz, Reggae, Blues, Doo-wop, Be-bop, and a multitude of other types of expressions, be it musical or otherwise, that African people throughout the Diaspora have given birth to and introduced to the world.  That very spirit is what breathes life into a simple idea, and transforms it into a living cultural movement.  Hip Hop Culture cannot be assimilated, integrated, diluted, watered-down, sold for profit, or pimped.  It will always exist, in this incarnation or another. What the mainstream promotes as Hip Hop, is only a commercial product misleading you into believing that it represents Hip Hop in its totality.

How can teenagers learn through Hip Hop? -

Hip Hop can be used as a platform to teach any subject.  First, it automatically attracts teenagers' attention, which is important considering so many students are bored at school.  Second, the elements of Hip Hop are simply a vehicle with which to address a topic.  The history of Hip Hop culture itself is based in American history, Black history, social movements, youth movements, business and commerce, politics, art, music history, culture, geography, religion, spirituality, etc. As students learn about Hip Hop's history, they're learning about all these other overlapping subjects as well.  And for every topic to be learned, there are corresponding rap songs, graffiti pieces, break dancing facts, and DJ anecdotes that can be used to facilitate the discussions.  Of course, the fun part is having students learn about these topics through having them write their own lyrics, create their own skits, etc...

Seems that everyone wants to be a rapper these days. Do you offer programs on learning the business? -

A large component of the program focuses on business and entrepreneurialism.  Students learn about the music business, budgeting, finances, and are given the opportunity to explore their own career choice, in the field of entertainment or otherwise.  Students are taught that there are thousands of careers in the world that they have never heard of before which may suit their interests and skills perfectly.  We go beyond the same old career choices and expose them to alternatives.  Of course, for the students who are interested in pursuing rap as a career, we establish realistic expectations by analyzing the truth about the business of rap.  My job is to demystify the idea of fame and celebrity status without discouraging students from pursuing their art.

Are there any Hip Hop artists currently involved with your projects? -

In the past 5 years, we've had artists such as Hip Hop icons MC Lyte and KRS-ONE participate in our program, as well as underground and local artists like Medusa, Stacy Epps, and DJ Drez.  Most recently, we did a Skype session with acclaimed producer Apollo Brown, and had students perform their lyrics to his beats.  The students learned a lot and enjoyed the chance to speak with him directly. 

How can kids get your program in their school? –

At this point, my program is based at only one school in Los Angeles.  I’m currently looking for other schools and institutions that would be open to offering the program.  The interest is there, but the funding isn’t!  Providing funding is secured, my ultimate goal is to have this kind of program available across the nation.

www.GlobalAwarenessThroughHipHopCulture.com

“Keep it Dangerous” means being the best at whatever it is you choose to do in life while holding fast to your personal beliefs as you move in a positive direction.

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