Weekend events will explore elements of hip-hop

A series of events this weekend at the University of Wisconsin–Madison will explore the elements of hip-hop: being a DJ, rapping, break dancing, graffiti and knowledge.

The events, called “5 elements,” are sponsored by the Multicultural Student Coalition, a student organization committed to social justice and the principles of unity, integrity, responsibility and respect, says Althea Miller, executive of the coalition.

Participants may attend a “popping” dance workshop at 5 p.m. Saturday or poetry workshop at 1 p.m. Sunday. Both events will be held in the Multipurpose Room on the 4th floor of the Student Activity Center.

“Through these we hope to instill new understanding and respect for two of the most prolific forms of self expression spawned by the hip-hop culture,” says Peter Lorenz, administrative staff member of the coalition. “Our gifted instructors aim to show how through these creative outlets we can learn about others, our environment and ourselves.”  

The group will also sponsor a break dance battle at 7 p.m. and concert at 10 p.m. Saturday on the Memorial Union Terrace, which Lorenz says will celebrate the emceeing aspect of hip-hop and “its ability to convey knowledge and uplift while still being fun.”

Headlining the show will be Freddie Gibbs, an underground hip-hop artist from Gary, Ind. Gibbs “raps about the struggle, emotion, and beauty of life as a poor youth in America, mixing lyrical depth and complexity with a hardcore veneer,” Lorenz says.

The show will feature several local artists as well, including several members of UW–Madison’s First Wave cutting-edge multicultural artistic program.

The First Wave Learning Community is the first university program in the country centered on spoken word and hip-hop culture. There are now 60 students in this close-knit, dynamic campus learning community.
For more information about the “5 elements” events, please visit the Multicultural Student Coalition’s website.