IS RAP/HIP-HOP POETRY?
Can the dominace and influence of rap and hip-hop artists be considered a literary movement?
A WebQuest for 9-12th Grade (English)

Designed by

Shalonda Simoneaux
simoneaux@hotmail.com
 

 

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | 


Introduction
Rap and Hip-Hop music in the late 2oth centruy began to carry a poetic voice for urban teens around the world, exposing hard core emotion and verbal frustration as well.  For the most part the lyrics in hip-hop and rap music are expressions of life in urban American and in mnost cases, life as a minority.
     Teachers and parents alike are worried that a generation of rebelious, angry yet creative technologically advanced youngsters will lose their creativity, as well as moral rinciples by using such an offensive, profane, aggressive type of music to expressthemselves and signify their culture.
     What began mainly as a "Black thang", has now in the 21st century (Run DMC, Curtis Blow) turned into a "Generation X" movement of multiculturalism from Eminem to JZ, Christina Augulara to Eve, Erikah Badu to Britteny Spears. 

     This webquest is designed for you and your group to look at Hip-Hop and Rap music from a literary perspective.  By the end of this lesson, you will be able to give the names of various artists, telling whether their music contributes to society in a literary sense.
 
 


The Task

After reviewing, their lyrics, your group should be able to address the following issues regarding the webquest topic:

  • Is Rap music poetic expression?  Why or Why not?
  • What literary characteristics does this music express?
  • What aspects of this music are allowing it to cross all color lines?
  • What complexities about society or youth does this music express, if any?
Once your group has researched, discussed/debated each issue, a group powerpoint presentation will be presented to the class reporting your results, as well as individual perspective essays expressing each individual's view on what they learned in this lesson.
 
 


The Process
1.  First, each participant will have a copy of the assignment hand-out.  To address the issues above, the class will be divided into groups of 4 students.  Within the group, each of you will take on one of the following roles as literary critics:
 
Thematic Critic- You understand that words sometimes hide some underlying theme.  To you theme is important in poetry and you like to pick the artist's brain to see what he/she really feels.  Most artist tie their music to a consistent themes related to their lives.  You feel that an artrist that incorporates thematic depth.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 Appropriate Critic- You feel that words should be appropriate in form and expression according to the audience and intention.  Not a believer in structured art, but instead simply poetic approprateness in order to relay an artistic expression in a classic manner that may last over time.You fell that rap/hiphop artist should have a level of appropriateness in their music.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
Context Critic:  You understand and value the usefulness and power of words.  To you poety must have meaning and use of words mus be consitent with the meaning trying to be expressed.  A rap song must use words in a useful way incorporating similie, metaphor, form, sound, and other literary elements artristically and uniquely.
 
 
 

 

 Social Relevance Critic:  You feel that words in poetry should have some social relevance to the times and adequately define the times.  You can appreciate lyrics that give some window into the life and times of the artist, socially, politically, or economically.  If lyrics are dominated by emotion, you feel that it sould tie in some how to some social factor.
 
 

 
2.  As a group, briefly visit each of the websites attached and choose one of the rap/hip-hop artist featured.  Then individually, jot down notes on each artist featured from the perspective of you role. (Note:  On sites where there is more than one artist to view, your group should decide on one from that site for the entire group to analyze.) 
Resources: 3.  When everyone in the group has seen all the sites, reconvene in your groups to share information and address the issues presented.  Take turns in group discussion explaining your role, and the perspective you took when applied to the particular artist.  One person in the group should jot down notes on how the opinions vary.
4.  After their has been discussion, the group should rate the artist from most poetic to least poetic, with one being the highest.
5.  One person in the group should open a word processing program and create a brief report, listing the artist according to group's rating, and giving a brief explanation of the group's discussion from each person's perspective.
6. For oral presentation, one member of the group will share the information in your final report, and address any questions from the class.

 

Evaluation

Click here to see evaluation rubric.


Conclusion

By completing this assignment, you have approched Hip-Hop and Rap music from a critical standpoint in relation to its social, literary, and contexual contributions to world of literature.


Credits & References
http://www.daveyd.com/
 

Last updated on July 2, 2001. Based on a template from The WebQuest Page