The Emcee Department will offer three classes:
Emcee – Beginner
Students will learn the history of the Emcee and acquire the fundamentals of what it takes to become a great Emcee. Students will also be guided through proper mic holding techniques, live and recorded performances.
Emcee – Intermediate
Students in this class will produce quality recordings and develop a clear sense of their own style as well as their limits in techniques. Students will be exploring many new possibilities in their own art form.
Emcee – Advanced
Advanced students will master their style and technique through single and multi-track recording. They will also learn the major differences between recording and live performance. Students will also be taught the use of digital and analog processors that can manipulate and enhance sound recordings and live performances. Students will perform live presentations and will be given direction in pursuing artistic careers.
Workshop Specifics
- 8 Week Workshop
- 60 Minute Class
- Meets twice per week
- Most equipment is provided
- Open practice is subject to availability. Please see one of our staff members.
A short History & Description of Emcee
The term Emcee comes from the abbreviated Master of Ceremonies (M.C.). In its conventional sense, MC referred to the master of a ceremony or of an event. From there,the MC evolved to become an entertainer and a public speaker. This element embraces the American Constitutional right of Freedom of Speech. The MC is the voice of Hip Hop ones who directs, moves, and inspires the crowd with rhyme and reason. DJ Pete Jones, KC the Prince of Soul, Shiba Shiba, DJ Hollywood, Lovebug Starski, Brucie B, The Cowboy, Coke La Rock,MC Happy, Timmy Hall, Grand Master Caz, Melle Mel &The Furious Five, Shake Rock, The Cold Crush Brothers, Afrika Bambaataa, Kool Moe Dee & The Treacherous Three, Fantastic 5, Sugar Hill Gang, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Whodini Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, Egyptian Lover, Jazzy D, Ice T and KRS-ONE are a few of the MC Legends that made Hip Hop what it is today.
Emcee or Rap is the most famous, financially lucrative, and corporate exploited element of Hip Hop because of the record companies, who saw its value originating with Sugar Hill Gang’s”Rapper’s Delight” which was the first Hip Hop single to become a Top 40 hit. Kurtis Blow was the first Emcee to get a mainstream record deal. The MC is the Poet and the Spoken Message of Hip Hop. It all began with clean and positive rhymes, just being clever with words. An MC can rap about his thoughts, feelings, experiences, or just about anything at all that he/she is choosing to communicate. Today, the true MC seeks to be a master of his/her own vocal expression, music, message and consciousness.
Most MC’s rate themselves on their ability to “rock a party”, speak clearly into the mic, tell a good story, or”battle” freestyle “off the top of their head” without writing or planning anything. A talented MC can “drop” one single and turn it into a multi-million dollar product. This is why record companies and rappers have made so much money. It all started with DJ’s first utilizing vocals to get the crowd involved. The MC is the powerful element that then took vocals and lyrics and elevated Hip Hop to its modern day Superstar Generating status. Lovebug Starski was the first to coin the phrase hip hop as well as The Cowboy (RIP) the rhyme goes something like this. A little Hip Hop, The hibiti, The hibiti-hip hip hop. A little little, little,little, little Hip Hop as he danced moving his hips. The rest remains history in the making.
