• the217
• Stage
• Performance showcases hip-hop culture

Related Media

Related Venues

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts »
Address: 500 S. Goodwin Ave. Urbana, IL 61801
Phone: (217) 333-6700
Show on map

Over the past three decades, the culture of hip-hop has significantly evolved, finally attaining proper global recognition as not only a specific musical genre, but also as a way of life. However, throughout this evolution some have lost a sense of what hip-hop actually produces. More than your favorite rap personality or designer, hip-hop is a culture, it is tradition and to some it is means to stay alive. Over the years, hip-hop has been misconstrued and has even lost its historical significance. Since the early-to-mid 90s, hip-hop has undergone changes that traditionalists would consider degenerating to its culture.

From Oct. 15 through Oct. 25, however, the University Department of Theatre will present, The Hip-Hop Project: Insight into the Hip-Hop Generation, and plan to re-introduce hip-hop as what it truly is and has always meant to be.

The highly anticipated play written by Stephen Broadnax, directed by Aaron Todd Douglas and choreographed by Millicent Johnnie was put together with the means of expressing the political, social, economic and religious truths that those in the hip-hop culture deal with through the means of everyday art.

“The purpose of the event is to show people what hip-hop truly is. Hip-hop is not limited to one group of people, it is more an idea of many different individuals contributing their creativity,” said Assistant Director Astarte Howell, sophomore in the Department of Theatre.

The hip-hop culture includes five main elements: rapping, deejaying, break dancing, graffiti and knowledge. Meanwhile, respect, unity and knowledge form the foundation of what hip-hop not only stands for, but also internalizes as a way of life. One of the biggest changes in hip-hop is generally based upon what has come to be called commercial hip-hop.

Commercial hip-hop has reformed, not rejuvenated, what so many of the hip-hop artists in the 80s tried to build — a more well-rounded culture of music, including dance, creativity and artistry that would give people not only something to sing along with or dance to, but also a way to express and deliver a positive message to all those who should or could need to relate.

Students from the Department of Theatre as well as other UI students attended the open audition for the cast earlier this semester, and have been rehearsing for the anticipated event for over a month. With a wide range of talent from dancers and poets to graffiti artists and emcee B-Boy All Stars, there is no limit to what the production can accomplish.

Hip-hop means something different to everyone, and is carried through the strength of its origin. Initially, hip-hop was a movement to spread awareness, knowledge and positive thought and expansion within the African American community, and that is what the directors, cast members and others involved in the production of The Hip-Hop Project hope to demonstrate.

“To me, hip-hop is everything. After being a part of the creation of this play, I was able to actually witness the ‘everything,’” Howell said. “Watching how different parts of the world feel about hip-hop, and how they contribute to it showed me so much more.”

It’s more than a song or a head bob; it’s more than being able to dance or rap; it’s influence and impact based on tradition and culture through ones individuality and creativity. It’s hip-hop, and it’s here to stay.

The Department of Theatre production of The Hip-Hop Project: Insight into the Hip-Hop Generation, opens on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts’ Colwell Playhouse. Tickets are $15 for general admission, $14 for senior citizens and students, and $9 for UI members and youth. The Hip-Hop Project will run Thursday, Oct. 15 through Saturday, Oct. 17, and Thursday, Oct. 22 through Sunday, Oct. 25.

As noted by the production’s program, in the words of rapper Talib Kweli, “Hip hop is us; it’s what we are, what we’ve become. Hip hop is a word that defines this generation. I don’t think it’s just music. I don’t think it’s just an art. I think it’s a whole way you think.”