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Deidre DSSENSE Smith discovers that hip-hop, like music itself, is becoming a universal language.
“People from all walks of life have a need and a desire to be understood. Even if they don’t understand a particular language, everyone can understand the way they speak and the rhythm of a song,” said the Detroit singer-songwriter. The moderator, the University of Michigan’s first faculty member, said:
DSSENSE Smith
Through her musical performance course Ideas With a Beat: Hip-hop Songwriting, Kresge Fellow of Live Performance Art creates a safe space for those who want to expand their palette artistically or who are “just curious” about the medium. We aim to
Practicing creative writing through the hip-hop genre or the discipline of rap in class is unheard of or seen at this level of academia, especially in the Midwest, Smith said. It is essential as an ‘art form rooted in linguistics’. Words have power and can be manipulated to elicit certain emotions and understandings. ”
The key principles of hip hop are love, peace, unity and having fun. And out of these principles the foundation of the community is built, with participants contributing as best they can to the greater and most beautiful whole.
“In addition to these traditional elements, we hope that participants will develop their own ethics and morals that actually sprout from those principles,” she said. , I don’t think it’s made to create parameters or constrict the body, but hip-hop is all about expanding yourself in order to better understand yourself and the world around you. is a driving force for development.”
By applying these elements to their daily lives, students are encouraged to bring the lessons learned in class back to their own communities and contribute to the global society.
One component of Smith’s course that demonstrates this idea is her Inclusion Cypher. This emphasizes the importance of being present and contributing to the energy continuum, whether your contribution is large or small.
Whether one contributes an entire poem or just a round of applause, they are changing this cipher in the same way that people impact global society through their individual actions. Inclusion crypto creates a shared, unified experience that is representative of everyone involved.
There are writing prompts provided each week, and the course culminates in a live performance of original work by each student.
“We have to be confident enough to speak up. No matter how trembling your voice is, step into the mic and let us know who you are through song.” said Smith.
Making this underappreciated form of artistic expression academically accessible is part of UM’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its course offerings.
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