• Pick your topic from the list below
  • You may create your own topic, however it must be cleared by the instructor
• Research your topic using scholarly resources
  • Textbooks
  • Scholarly Journals
  • Encyclopedias, not Wikipedia
  • Other sources are possible
• Write your rough-draft
• Proofread
  • Try reading it out-loud
  • Have someone else proofread, email to each other in class! Share proofreading duties.
• Write final draft

Formatting

Please format the paper with one-inch margins, double spacing and 12-point font. The length of the paper will vary based on the topic. It should be somewhere in the realm of 6-8 pages.

You may email the assignment to me as a DOC, DOCX, RTF, PDF, JPEG, or TXT file attached to the email. If you send any files that are not listed, the file will be sent back to you and you may be in jeopardy of having points deducted for lateness.

Topics for Hip-Hop Research

1. How do you reconcile moral integrity with the social response of graffiti writing? Make an argument and defend your position.
2. Explain the many hip-hop elements and how they are connected to the African diaspora.
3. Explain the social and cultural functions of the early party scene and how it transitioned away from the street-gang mentality.
4. Give backgrounds and descriptions of the outside forces that commercialized hip-hop. Provide opinions/arguments for and/or against.
5. Research and explain how hip-hop has influenced other styles/genres of music.
6. Research the techniques of Turntablism. Explain how they have evolved over time. Provide background on key figures in the art form.
7. How has the language of hip-hop evolved over time? Please explain the poetry, vocabulary, and rhythm of the lyrics from the beginning to the current period.
8. Research the racial and gender biases faced in hip-hop culture. What is portrayed as “normal?” Please support your answer with facts, as well as your opinions and arguments.
9. How has the technology of hip-hop (instruments to create the music/graffiti/business) changed over time?
10. Pick a hip-hop subgenre (DJ, MC, Breaking, Writing) and discuss female artists in that world. Discuss their influences and innovations to their art-form.
11. On the negative side to number 10, research and discuss misogyny in hip hop.
12. Research the life and contributions of Afrika Bambaataa.
13. Research the criticisms of Rap. Evaluate the evidence you find to determine if the criticisms are accurate or false.
14. Research the East Coast—West Coast rapper rivalry. In your opinion, which is more “authentic?” Provide supporting evidence for your decision.
15. Research the life and contributions of Grandmaster Flash.
16. Research the musicians whose beats and song fragments are sampled by MCs/DJs. Who are some of the most sampled artists, why?
17. Research the life and innovations of famous b-boys and/or b-girls and their contributions to breaking.
18. Research Fab Five Freddie and his contributions to hip hop culture.
19. Research Lee Quiñonez and his contributions to hip hop culture.
20. Research Jean-Michel Basquiat and his contributions to hip hop culture.
21. Research DJ Kool Herc and his contributions