A history of hip-hop class is in the making at Bakersfield College.
Professor of African-American history, Ishmael Kimbrough, plans on heading the new class with a fellow BC professor.
“I have talked with another professor on campus,” he said. “We both have a key interest in preserving the history of hip-hop.”
Kimbrough explained that the class would track the evolution of the music and the effect it has had on popular culture.
“I’m a product of hip-hop,” said Kimbrough. “It’s something I grew up with.” Kimbrough explained that hip-hop has changed, and also explained that pop/rap, hip-hop music is highly influential in informing young people of their values.
The class will also discuss the influence of hip-hop worldwide.
“Germany, France, and South America have truly embraced the real value of hip-hop, while here in America, we have lost it. Hip-hop music has become pop and formulaic, there is no essence in it,” explained Kimbrough.
There are many who have not been exposed to black culture, they might think that pop-rap is an expression of black culture, when really, it’s only a formula that some executive somewhere tells them to follow to make money. Popular radio rap and hip-hop music that people listen to on BET or MTV, is not a true expression of hip-hop; it is merely a sub-genre.
Hip-hop is about constant change; instead, it now has been muddled down to one general standard of dress, ethic, and morality.
“The hip-hop culture has become stagnant, now it’s all about duplication and everyone talks about the same thing,” said Kimbrough.
Kimbrough also explained that if people take this class, they would understand the true art form of hip-hop instead of the watered down version.
Kimbrough believes that students will take this class.
“It hasn’t been finalized yet, but it is definitely something I plan to do. It is an idea that has to be sold to others that may doubt the validity of the class.”
Hip-hop is an all American art form, much like jazz that needs to be explained thoroughly.