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Hip Hop Education Resources

Posted Mar 30 2006

By Daniel D. Zarazua

While this is obviously not a comprehensive list, this listing should help you get started in generating ideas. Please keep in mind that hip hop is very complex and just like someone who watches Roots doesn’t become an expert on the "African-American experience," merely reading a few books, listening to a few CDs, and appropriating some slang doesn’t make one a hip-hop expert or make up for poor teaching or a lack of healthy relationships with students. Hip hop is merely another tool to enhance the education process. Our best resource is one another...students, educators, artists, etc.

Select Songs
There are countless songs that are thought provoking and that address topics ranging from abortion to gay rights. New songs and artists come out everyday so this list will evolve from time to time. Here are a few songs and artists to get you started. Check here for lyrics.


Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, Public Enemy
-A Black male resists the draft and gets imprisoned
Black Superman, Above The Law
-trials and tribulations of a young Black male in Southern California
Branded, Third Eye Open
-a spoken-word, metaphorical tale about “modern day slavery” in the sense of people being slaves to fashion and jewels
Daddy’s Little Girl, Nikki D
-a young woman struggles with teenage pregnancy and disappointing her father
Definition of the Threat, Rass Kass
-a 7 minute historical lesson that can be analyzed for accuracy
Girlfriend, Sista Girl, Mystic
-empowering song for girls and young women
I Can, Nas (2003)
-empowerment for children
I Used to Love Her, Common
-a metaphorical song tracing hip hop’s history, presented as Common’s love for hip hop as “she” goes through growing pains
Keep Ya’ Head Up, Tupac
-encouragement for women
Love Hurts, Eve
-domestic abuse
Love’s Gonna Get ‘Ya, Boogie Down Productions
-a cautionary tale about “loving” material objects more than people including themselves
Message, The, Grandmaster Flash
-old school track describing the sights and smells of ghetto life, as well as the accompanying feelings
My Summer Vacation, Ice Cube
-Vividly captures the spread of Los Angeles gangs across the United States without glorifying gang life
The Proud, Talib Kweli
-thoughts on terrorism and September 11th
That Thing, Lauryn Hill
-empowerment and self-reflection
This is For La Raza, Kid Frost
-Chicano pride
You Must Learn, Boogie Down Productions
-Black history lesson


Other Artists

Arrested Development
Bambu
Black Star
Carlos Mena
The Coup
Cyne
David Banner
dead prez
Eminem
Immortal Technique
J-Live
Jean Grae
Kanye West
King T
Kiwi
Mos Def
Outkast Paris
Queen Latifah
Salt N Pepa
Talib Kweli
Tre Hardson
Zion I

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