Hip Hop Explodes into OC

Beyond concerts, artists lead panels and workshops

If the long lines that waited up to five hours to see Rahzel perform at the 'Sco last month are any indication of the hip-hop talents that come to Oberlin, this year's Hip-Hop Conference 2000 is guaranteed to be a huge success. This year, acts like Jahi, Common, Jessica Care Moore and Dead Prez are bringing their star power to Oberlin as part of "6 Million Ways to Speak: The Oberlin Community Hip-Hop Conference 2000."

"The conference has brought every one on this campus together. There are people from every side of this campus and every community is involved. When the conference is over, there is no doubt that Oberlin will not be the same," said coordinator Mie Anton.

Closing Time: Hip-hop stars Dead Prez will close this weekend's events with a 5 p.m. concert at the 'Sco on Sunday. Jahi will join the band, as well. (photo courtesy of Blu Magazine)

Last night, Saul Williams opened the conference with his keynote address at the 'Sco. Williams, who gained national prominence when he was named Nuyorican Poet Cafe's 1996 Grand Slam Champion, has performed along with such notables as Amiri Baraka, Allen Ginsburg and the Last Poets. Conference coordinator Thomas Yagoda said, "All of the members of the conference are legends. Everyone is a headlining act. "

The keynote address was not the only event at the 'Sco last night. Joining Williams were spoken word poets Calvin Hernton and Michael S. Harper. Hernton and Harper read from their work for about an hour before they were supposed to hand over the spotlight to the Beat Junkies and other guest deejays. Unfortunately, the Beat Junkies suffered travel complications and were unable to attend.

"6 Million Ways to Speak is what the conference is called and that is really what hip hop is all about. In hip-hop and in the world there are six million ways to speak. It is about expressing yourself and about personal expression," said Yagoda. Besides attracting a diversity of hip-hop artists to perform, Anton and Yagoda were also able to schedule panel discussions on issues pertinent to the hip hop community. Today's discussion at 4:30 is entitled "The Predefinition of Gender Roles in Hip-Hop" and features guests Flo Brown, Corey Smith, Isha B and QueenGodis. Oberlin faculty members Hernton and Caroline Jackson-Smith will facilitate the discussion, which takes place in King 106.

At 7 p.m. in the 'Sco the Ill Style Rockers will lead a workshop entitled "Break Dancing." Though a break dancing video has been running on the first floor of Mudd Library, undoubtedly the live version will be immensely more energetic and animated. Yagoda said, "There are so many parts of the conference that will have something for everyone." Following the workshop will be a concert with Common, Prophet and the PSP All-Stars, QueenGodis, Ill Style Rockers and special guests from Bring in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk. The show will begin at 9 p.m. in Hales.

Aside from the panel discussions and music performances, "6 Million Ways to Speak" has managed to add another dimension with Saturday's Blackspeak Poetry Jam. With the work of noted poet Jessica Care Moore, the purpose of the poetry jam is to address issues relevant to black women. After her success as five-time winner of "It's Showtime at the Apollo," Moore has given underground hip-hop voices an alternative to the mainstream publishing houses with the creation of Moore Black Press.

This press has sold over 15,000 copies of Moore's The Words Don't Fit in My Mouth. Moore said, "It is so important that black writers...publish their words. We have to be about empowering ourselves. Institution building - we need to be about that." Moore will read from her performance at 2:00 p.m. at the Afrikan Heritage House.

On Sunday at 11 a.m. there will be another workshop entitled "Hip-Hop Journalism" at Third World House. Vee Bravo from Stress Magazine and Russell Shoatz III from Blu Magazine will lead the discussion. At 2 p.m. the Dead Prez will give the closing lecture in King 106. After the lecture, the group will join Jahi at the 'Sco for the final performance of the weekend.    

Hip-Hop Schedule of Events

	Friday
4:30 p.m., King 106: Panel Discussion, "The Predefinition of Gender Roles in Hip-Hop," featuring Flo Brown, Corey Smyth and Isha B.
7:00 p.m., 'Sco: Workshop, "Break Dancing," instructed by Ill Style Rockers.
9:00 p.m., Hales: Concert, featuring Common, Prophet and the PSP All-Stars and QueenGodis, and a possible appearence by the Beat Junkies.

	Saturday
12:00 p.m., King 106: Panel Discussion, "Bling Bling vs. Fight the Power: Responsibility to the Community," featuring Talib Kweli, Jahi and Russel Shoatz III.
2:00 p.m., Afrikan Heritage House: Blackspeak Poetry Jam, featuring Jessica Care Moore.
3:00 p.m., 'Sco: Workshop, "The Presence of the DJ," instructed by DJ Hi-Tek.
5:00 p.m., Afrikan Heritage House: Workshop, "Women and Self-Esteem in Hip-Hop," instructed by Aisha Balil.
5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m., Kettering, Mudd 050 and Afrikan Heritage House: Movies, including Beat Street, Slam and Fresh.
9:00 p.m., 'Sco: Concert, featuring Reflection Eternal, Jaguar, with the Oberlin College Jazz Band and Flo Brown.

	Sunday
11:00 a.m., Third World House: Workshop, "Hip-Hop Journalism," instructed by Vee Bravo from Street Magazine and Russell Shoatz III from Blu Magazine.
1:00 p.m., Afrikan Heritage House: Workshop, "Organization of Hip-Hop Events and Activities," instructed by Aisha Balil.
2:00 p.m., King 106: Closing Lecture by Dead Prez.
5:00 p.m., 'Sco: Concert, featuring Dead Prez and Jahi.