Dean's Office (FFAR/FFAZ)

Welcome to our class. This is Concordia’s 3rd session of class based on a “celebrity” or Icon. But we don’t really focus on that part of their persona. Behind every famous person is a human being, someone like you and me. They wake up, they eat breakfast, the use bathrooms, they walk out in the real world and - hopefully -return home. Much a hype is built around the fact that these classes are “fodder” or “intellectually unsound” - but you’d be surprised how much artists can be more critical, empathetic thinkers than your daily PHD graduates. Sometimes, happening in real life, is more valuable to change than the written ideas, concepts and ruminations. No Hype, No outside noise, we are here to think and grow, together. 

Hip-Hop just turned 50 in August. What a blessing for her to make it 10 years into adulthood. What comes with reaching the half way mark to your centennial when you are the most effective, powerful and shape shifting culture in North America - let alone planet Earth. The culture has changed fashion, marketing, branding, language - even , youth and financial empowerment. It is a pervasive presence in our daily lives, we speak it - we live it.  Even if you aren’t participating in it, it is in your life. 

From my experience as an MC, a producer, a performer - I’ve had the distinct privilege of watching the culture flourish around me. I’ve shared the stage with your favourites from KRS to Kanye. I’ve collaborated with GOATs. I’ve stamped my name in the culture. At a time where I lacked a home - geographically - where I felt out of place and lost - Hip-Hop embraced me. It taught me a sense of community, it showed me that we could actually be one world. 

This could be attributed to its roots - a disruptive force against a force of injustice - a place built on top of a boxed - in reality - a way out inwards. But much of this  community building came from Kings and Queens - people who harness their power for the sake of togetherness. From Kool Herc to Queen Latifah’s UNITY - From Native Tongues to Soulquarians. That is what the core of this class is about community - in other words, Us. 

Hip-Hop is more than the music. It is the movement. When I think about my heroes, they can be counted on my fingers. One of the most important people in my journey through this culture - who embraced me as a brother but also taught me more than he knows, is Dave Chappelle. Community King, Rebel Rouser, Game Changer, True Artist, Human Being. He is the nucleus of our studies this semester. From his decisions to his films, his TV show to his stand ups. More importantly, his brothers and sisters, his community. Team Chappelle. Buckle up b***ches, as he would say, its time to study ourselves. What are we really doing here? What is our greatest legacy? 

In Solidarity

NARCY