Hip Hop Origins Documentary Review
The Hip Hop Origins documentary series explores the roots and evolution of hip-hop music and culture, shedding light on the influential figures and pivotal moments that shaped the genre into what it is today. In this essay, I will focus on the episode "The Foundation" from the Hip Hop Evolution series and discuss the documentary's portrayal of the early days of hip-hop and its impact on society.
The Hip Hop Evolution series, directed by Darby Wheeler, takes viewers on a journey through the history of hip-hop, starting from its humble beginnings in the Bronx in the 1970s. The episode "The Foundation" delves into the key elements that laid the groundwork for hip-hop, including DJing, MCing, breaking, and graffiti art. Through interviews with pioneers such as Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa, the documentary provides a firsthand account of how these elements came together to create a new and revolutionary form of music and culture.
One of the strengths of Hip Hop Evolution is its use of interviews with key figures in hip-hop history. The documentary allows these pioneers to tell their own stories and provide insights into the origins and evolution of hip-hop. By featuring firsthand accounts, the series adds a layer of authenticity and depth to the narrative, enabling viewers to gain a greater understanding of the cultural and social significance of hip-hop.
Additionally, Hip Hop Evolution effectively utilizes archival footage and photographs to transport viewers back in time and immerse them in the sights and sounds of early hip-hop. The documentary creates a visual and sensory experience that captures the energy and creativity of the pioneering hip-hop artists, giving viewers a glimpse into the vibrant and dynamic world of the Bronx in the 1970s.
In his essay "Hip-Hop is for Everybody: Examining the Roots and Growth of Hip-Hop," Lucien Flores discusses the inclusive and diverse nature of hip-hop culture, emphasizing its ability to bring together people from different backgrounds and communities. Hip Hop Evolution echoes this sentiment by showcasing the diverse group of individuals who played a role in shaping hip-hop, from DJs and MCs to breakdancers and graffiti artists. The documentary highlights the collaborative and community-oriented nature of hip-hop, illustrating how it has served as a platform for self-expression and empowerment for marginalized voices.
However, while Hip Hop Evolution succeeds in capturing the essence of hip-hop's early days, it also faces criticism for its limited focus on certain aspects of hip-hop culture. For example, the documentary predominantly features male artists and overlooks the contributions of female pioneers in hip-hop. This oversight is addressed in the Ladies First: The Story of Women in Hip-Hop series, which explores the challenges and triumphs of women in hip-hop and sheds light on their often overlooked contributions to the genre.
In her essay "Are You Listening? Misogyny in Rap Music and What It Means for Women In Society," Ishikasachdeva discusses the portrayal of women in rap music and the prevalence of misogyny in the lyrics and imagery of many male artists. This analysis can be applied to Hip Hop Evolution and its portrayal of women in hip-hop, highlighting the need for a more inclusive and intersectional approach to documenting the history of the genre.
In conclusion, Hip Hop Evolution offers a compelling and comprehensive exploration of the origins of hip-hop, incorporating interviews, archival footage, and historical context to create a rich and engaging narrative. While the documentary excels in capturing the vibrancy and creativity of early hip-hop culture, it also raises important questions about representation and inclusivity within the genre. By examining the documentary through the lens of academic essays such as those by Flores and Ishikasachdeva, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and social implications of hip-hop and its ongoing impact on society.
Hip Hop Origins Documentary
750-1000 words PERFECT MLA FORMATTING
Assignment Objectives
Students will complete this assignment by writing an REVIEW that responds to an assigned text (in your case, a documentary with corresponding essay) . Students will use what they have read to support or illustrate their own position (agreement, disagreement, extension) rather than writing an essay focused on describing the work of another writer. Successful completion of this assignment will require students to (1) develop their own position, (2) express that position clearly and persuasively, and (3) demonstrate a connection—with quotation, paraphrase, or summary—between their position and that of the author(s) whose writing they are analyzing.
Rationale
Unlike the first essay, where you wrote an exposition of another’s ideas, here you will analyze the ideas of another author and then engage that author with some of your own ideas. For example, in the first essay you discussed what was the authors purpose and how did they achieve that purpose. Think about this essay as “what was the author’s purpose and how WELL did they achieve that purpose.
Assignment
Write a persuasive essay that presents your opinion on one of the three hip-hop documentaries that address a hip-hop origin story. Your essay may use personal experiences for support, but at least PART of support or elaboration in this essay must be drawn from one of the essays corresponding to the documentary it is associated with. Since your source material is a documentary, beyond addressing the content of the documentary, you will undoubtedly talk about HOW that content is presented. Is it through interviews? Narration? What are the interviews like? Are they street interviews? Are they set up in a studio? Think about how the story is told VISUALLY, not just the script. You won’t be able to talk about every aspect of the documentary, so really pay attention to things you find particularly interesting or effective, and be sure to address something that you think might not be effective/accurate. Here are your choices:
1. Style Wars Dir. Tony Silver, 1983
Corresponding Text:
de Paor-Evans, Adam. “The Intertextuality and Translations of Fine Art and Class in Hip-Hop Culture.” Arts, vol. 7, no. 4, Nov. 2018, p. 80. Crossref,
2. Hip Hop Evolution. Episode 1, The Foundation 2016 (Netflix subscription needed)
Corresponding Text
Flores, Lucien J. "Hip-Hop is for Everybody: Examining the Roots and Growth of Hip-Hop." Inquiries Journal/Student Pulse 4.05 (2012).
3. Ladies First: The Story of Women in Hip-Hop Episode 1, Shaping Hip Hop, 2023 (Netflix subscription needed)
Corresponding Text:
Ishikasachdeva. “Are You Listening? Misogyny in Rap Music and What It Means for Women In ...” Berkley Political Review, UC-Berkley, 21 Dec. 2020, bpr.berkeley.edu/2020/12/21/are-you-listening-misogyny-in-rap-music-and-what-it-means-for-women-in-society/
Suggestion for Process
There will be tasks, practice, and discussions analyzing the structure of the documentary, and filling out a graphic organizer. Bascially, particiapte in the online course EVERY DAY
Rhetorical Situation
The Rhetorical Situation is basically The situation that surrounds your act of writing, meaning “what is the current understanding/discussion/ scholarship surrounding my topic?” It is not unlike “context” which is the situation out of which something arises.
Do I need a work cited page?
Yes. You will be citing from at least one of the essays we have read and will need to list each essay that you quote from, paraphrase, or summarize in your work cited page. Make appropriate use of the full array of devices for MLA citation: attributive lead-in phrases, quotation marks, in-text parenthetical references, and a listing of every source on the work cited page.
1 answer