Our Mission is to provide a unique performing arts, technical/trade program to transform each student’s creative energy into marketable skills through education, guidance and self-expression.
What Is Hip Hop?
Hip Hop is about peace, love, unity, having fun and creating community. Hip Hop is an umbrella term that encompasses many genres. There are at least seven recognized elements in Hip Hop: DJin’, Emceein’, B-Boyin’, Lockin’, Poppin’, Beat-Boxin’, and Urban Art. Each element has proven to be unique, incredible and powerful. Hip Hop is a vehicle for young people to express themselves in a productive and positive manner. It is now widely recognized as the one of the most important social and cultural movements in the world and a well spring of global creativity. In 2006, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs sponsored a citywide set of events and exhibitions called “Movement Hip Hop”. Cornell University recently inaugurated a world-class Hip Hop collection in its library division of Rare Manuscript Collections. The University of Wisconsin at Madison has established a four-year First Wave scholarship program for young artists working in the Hip Hop arts.
The Impact of Hip Hop:
Millions around the world now identify with the Hip Hop culture and acknowledge Hip Hop as one of the most astounding youth movements of all time. Hip Hop has grown into a multi-million dollar industry, uniting and breaking through the boundaries of race, color and class. Hip Hop has given many in the most impoverished inner city neighborhoods something with which to dedicate their lives. It has proven itself to be a solid solution as a way out of poverty, crime, gangs and drugs abuse. Thanks to Hip Hop, many youths have been inspired to pursue a career in the arts. Young people embrace the opportunity to express themselves through their talent, be it in music, dance, or art. Through Hip Hop, they can aspire to attain the American Dream, while also gaining the tools they need to be successfully engage in an increasingly inter-connected world.
Hip Hop encourages creativity and self-expression through music, art, and dance. The creativity it unleashes itself becomes an unstoppable force. It becomes a way of life! Hip Hop gives youth access to their essence or authentic being and to new opportunities through which to unleash the inherent power already within themselves. It builds self-esteem, confidence and character. By committing themselves to mastering one of the elements, our youth can become focused on a path to empowerment and enlightenment.
The Triumph of Hip Hop:
- Hip Hop has gone through many stages of creation and evolution in its extraordinarily prolific lifespan, yet it is continually reinventing itself. Hip Hop has survived for nearly four decades and is now recognized internationally as a worldwide phenomenon.
- The government of South Korea provides millions of dollars annually for Hip Hop youth events.
- Societies have embraced the Hip Hop culture worldwide, appealing to young people across geographical, theological and socio-economical borders.
- Hip Hop has been embraced by museums, universities, churches, recreational parks and youth centers, such as the Boys and Girls Club.
- Hip Hop has led to minority ownership of radio stations, clothing, record companies and TV shows.
- Hip Hop artists have performed in the Vatican for the Pope, Buckingham Palace for the Queen of England and for the President of the United States of America.
- Hip Hop artists have been nominated for Grammies and Oscars and produced moves yielding billions of dollars.
- Some of the Hip Hop elements have been distinguished and embraced in Olympic Sport, such as the windmill and airflare.
- Millions of dollars are spent annually to produce Hip Hop events in countries across the globe, such as Korea, Germany, Japan, Holland, Australia and Italy.
- Hip Hop has records in the Guinness Book of World Records and the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
- The Hip Hop Tour boasts thousands of participants in New York who visit famous Hip Hop landmarks where Hip Hop was born.
- Hip Hop is an alternative to gangs and violence, saving thousands of lives by providing a place to channel youthful energy into purpose, focus and the desire for excellence.
