A Class Finds Some New Dance Moves

A NEW TAKE ON MUSIC

History through the Lens of Hip-Hop

Crespi’s History of Hip-Hop is not your typical high school social studies class, and is the first of its kind to be taught in the state. Hip-hop and rap have evolved from counter-culture to a sub-culture to mainstream music. The UC-approved class traces the art form’s evolution from the 1970s to the present, and the unique culture created from America’s inner cities.

The class is the brainchild of 4th-generation L.A. native Darryl Carter, who hosts an internationally syndicated classic hip-hop radio podcast on White Label Radio. Carter received a degree in audio engineering and has worked with radio personalities like Casey Kasem. “I am well versed in hiphop,” explains Carter. “I grew up listening to it, I talk it, I live it. It saved my life, and I am lucky to be able to share my knowledge with the students.” Carter, a basketball coaching staff member, loved being on campus and working with the young Celts. Head basketball coach Andrew Moore encouraged him to bring his passion for hip-hop to the classroom. “Crespi taking a chance on a class like this

says a lot about what they are looking to do here and for their innovative curriculum,” said Carter. Combining music history with social studies, the class begins with African-American history. “The students must understand where people came from to understand how they created their music and culture,” says Carter. Veteran teacher and Social Studies Chair “Often after an uncomfortable Brett Louis plays an integral role in conversation, a student developing the syllabus. “Mr. Louis has been key to layering the Amerwill say to his classmate ican History component. I bring

‘Now I understand the music side to it against the where you are coming backdrop of historical events like slavery, the Harlem Renaissance, from, and we can find the civil rights movement, and common ground.’ ” the Watts riots, to name a few,” he adds. “These events paved the way for the creators of this culture to find themselves in impoverished communities. We talk about how the music and lyrics were born from the trials and tribulations faced in those neighborhoods. The artists were fighting back through their lyrics and content.” The course mainly covers music from 1980 to 2000. Students listen to music from Eminem, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, Run-D.M.C, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and N.W.A., and more recent artists like Migos and Lil Baby. Carter teaches his students that all music, not just hip-hop, parallels what is happening at that time within the culture. Artists of the sixties and seventies wrote Vietnam protest songs, Springsteen sings about working-class America, and N.W.A. used their platform to protest police brutality.

Carter encourages frank dialogue in the classroom, making sure that it is a safe forum for students to share their perspectives on what can be polarizing topics. Says Carter, “Often after an uncomfortable conversation, a student will say to his classmate ‘Now I understand where you are coming from, and we can find common ground.’ ”

Asked what most surprised him about his pupils, Carter responded, “I was surprised at how thoughtful and mindful our young men are during our discussions. I believe this generation will change the world for the better.” .