Rhyme
–N-Reason’s third annual conference, Ya Heard Me? Meanings in Hip Hop
Culture, was held August 14-15 at Jackson State University in
Jackson, Mississippi. Co-sponsored by the university, the conference
drew participants from Ghana, Arizona, New York, Texas, New Orleans,
Baton Rouge, Memphis, and from throughout Mississippi. University
President Dr. Ronald Mason, Jr. hosted a reception that created
an opportunity for university and community guests to meet with
conference participants, and attendees, such as the 6'8" Wonder, DJ 2
Tall.
Highly acclaimed author and
activist Kevin Powell delivered the keynote address, and
discussed the impact that hip hop has had on his own life and the lives
of other young people who have grown up in challenging situations.
Dr. Isaac Amuah, Chairman of the Music Department at University of
Cape Coast, Ghana, presented a paper titled Onomatopoeia in Ghanaian
Hiplife Lyrics. Dr. Camilla Westenberg, a professor of English at
Phoenix College in Arizona discussed The History of Arizona Hip Hop.
Jackson-based rap group Affiliated performed “Mississippi,” a
song that welcomed visitors to the conference.
Other presenters included
activist Johnnie James II who explained Cease Fire, a
Chicago-based program designed to reduce the homicide rate among young
men. Rap artist and hip hop educator Dee-1 participated in an
industry panel that featured noted music historian and activist
Charlie Braxton and John Shaw (J-Dogg) from Select-O-Hits in
Memphis.
Special invited guests
included legendary songstress Dorothy Moore, and two of Ghana’s
internationally acclaimed rap artists, Tic Tac and Kwaw Kese.
Okolo Rashid, co-founder and executive director of the
International Museum of Muslim Cultures, also participated in all
events.
After the conference, filmmakers
Kai Williams and Sekou McGlothin of Kai Productions/Reel Walk
Cinema showed a 30-minute segment of their film "Mississippi on the
Rise," followed by an interactive discussion session.
More than 15 rap artists and
hip hop groups from Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana performed at a
concert that was the finale for the conference and related events.
Daniel Mai, president of Tweeked Out Entertainment and DJ
Phingaprint provided the sounds for the concert.
Rhyme-N-Reason
Foundation
