2008 Woodie Awards
MLK inspires local hip hop artists
By: Caitlin Ryder
Issue date: 1/22/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
The words to Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech pumped through Alumni Hall. But it wasn't King's voice booming from the speakers.
The words of his speech were twisted into lyrics rapped out to hip hop beats by PUC students. The students were competing to win the Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" rap contest held last Friday night.
The contest entails performing a three-minute creative hip hop piece containing lyrics based on King's speech. Eleven entries were turned in for the rap contest, which were due on Jan. 17. Five students showed up to compete for the prizes being offered, which included time in a recording studio and an Xbox 360.
The presentation included a video paralleling today's world events to King's time and the need for continued education to help stop violence.
Roy Hamilton, director of the McNair Achievement Program, feels the rap generation doesn't have a strong grasp on King's crucial work on equality.
"If we forget what King talked about, we could lose all that we have gained," Hamilton said.
The five contestants had to rap to their own beats spun by DJ Victor V from local radio station 92.3.
"Hip Hop gives young people a chance to express themselves in their own language," Hamilton said.
Contestant Gregory Wicker, a sophomore whose major is undecided, said this was an excellent opportunity to appreciate how much King influenced the United States.
Another contestant, Ricardo Huizar, a junior majoring in electrical engineering and technology, expressed his opinion by rapping "together as one race, reaching the promised land no matter what it takes. MLK all day."
"I'm Hispanic. I understand the struggle for minorities and the work that needs to be continued to bridge the gap," said Huizar.
The winners will be announced Jan. 26 at the Annual MLK Jr. Holiday Convocation.
Hamilton hopes the convocation will draw at least 350 people.
The words of his speech were twisted into lyrics rapped out to hip hop beats by PUC students. The students were competing to win the Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream" rap contest held last Friday night.
The contest entails performing a three-minute creative hip hop piece containing lyrics based on King's speech. Eleven entries were turned in for the rap contest, which were due on Jan. 17. Five students showed up to compete for the prizes being offered, which included time in a recording studio and an Xbox 360.
The presentation included a video paralleling today's world events to King's time and the need for continued education to help stop violence.
Roy Hamilton, director of the McNair Achievement Program, feels the rap generation doesn't have a strong grasp on King's crucial work on equality.
"If we forget what King talked about, we could lose all that we have gained," Hamilton said.
The five contestants had to rap to their own beats spun by DJ Victor V from local radio station 92.3.
"Hip Hop gives young people a chance to express themselves in their own language," Hamilton said.
Contestant Gregory Wicker, a sophomore whose major is undecided, said this was an excellent opportunity to appreciate how much King influenced the United States.
Another contestant, Ricardo Huizar, a junior majoring in electrical engineering and technology, expressed his opinion by rapping "together as one race, reaching the promised land no matter what it takes. MLK all day."
"I'm Hispanic. I understand the struggle for minorities and the work that needs to be continued to bridge the gap," said Huizar.
The winners will be announced Jan. 26 at the Annual MLK Jr. Holiday Convocation.
Hamilton hopes the convocation will draw at least 350 people.
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