Resource Home
Rap Music is not the total sum of Hip Hop culture. Hip Hop consists of four main elements; Emceeing (MC) (rap), B-boying/B-Girling (breaking), Graff (aerosol art), and Djing (turntabilism). To only focus on the music side is to ignore a large part of a diverse culture that is Hip Hop.
Hip Hop has been, and remains, the voice of marginalised young people around the world. The purpose of the Next Resource is to provide youth workers and educators with a good understanding of Hip Hop culture as it applies to Aotearoa New Zealand and globally.
The Resource seeks to move both adult and young people alike, beyond the visible commercial commodity of 'rap music', to a deeper understanding of all the elements of Hip Hop; the heart and soul of a culture that is diverse and vibrant, where participants are not merely engaging in the elements, but derive a sense of self, purpose and direction. It explores that commitment, and the skills and achievements of those committed to the lifestyle.
Purpose of the Resource
The purpose of the Resource is to provide Youth Workers and Educators with the information necessary to develop:
- a practical understanding of the history of Hip Hop
- an understanding of the different forms and elements within the genre that increase awareness about global issues that impact on young people's lives, both locally and globally
- an understanding of the elements within the genre that promote positive development approaches to dealing with issues impacting on young people and their communities, particularly in developing countries.
And also:
- an overview and critique for exploring development issues through a medium defined by young people, and especially those from more marginalised groups in society.
1. KRS-One, Hip-Hop Knowledge, from the album The Sneak Attack.
