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Rap Music as an extension of the black rhetorical traditioN

Click on image below for a PDF of the reading.

Part One

"Rap Music as an Extension of the Black Rhetorical Tradition" by Baruti Kopano from 2002 is the first article we will read together this semester.  We will use this essay as a model for what Black rhetoric scholars do. 

In writing, address your ideas (at least for right now) about what Black rhetoric is (in your words) and what you see as its impact. Just write/mediate on it.  Let this writing take you wherever it takes you.  Do not write a final, schoolish essay that addresses a prompt.  Use writing to work through your ideas in interesting and creative ways.  Let it flow. 
We do not own the rights to this essay.  It is being used here for educational purposes only in the hopes that it helps other undergraduate students. This webpage will be password-protected as needed.
You may have noticed that each of the major performances that Kopano discussed was starred on the PDF above.  We are now going to look at the performances that Kopana discussed.   The addendum highlights women performers who were omitted but relevant to the timeline.  ​
Below:
1) Dr. Molefi Kete Asante on Afrocentricity
2) Agikuyu Orature (performed by students at Wahundura)
​3) Archie Shepp - Mama Rose (Live)
4) Charlie Parker and Coleman Hawkins in 1950
5) Dizzy Gillespie's Bebop Reunion in 1975
6) Kool Herc's Technique
​7) "How to Do a Break Mix" by Grand Master Flash in 1983
8) Dr. Hep Cat
9) WADO 1280 New York: Jocko Henderson in 1965
10) James Brown's "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud"
11) Last Poets (Full Album)
12) "Excursions" by Tribe Called Quest
13) "Cell Therapy" by Goodie Mob
14) "Renee" by The Lost Boyz

addendum

Sylvia Robinson
Godmother of Hip Hop who assembled the Sugarhill Gang to record “Rapper’s Delight.”
"Supersonic" by J.J. Fad
(Dania Birks (Baby D), Michelle Franklin-Ferrens (Sassy C), Anna Cash (Lady Anna), Fatima Shaheed (O.G. Rocker) and Juanita Lee (Crazy J).

Proceeds from the sale of “Supersonic” funded the promotion of N.W.A.’s Straight Outta Compton. The group featured a rotating cast in Juana Burns (MC J.B.).  “Supersonic” was mostly "remembered" when copied (with credit following a lawsuit) by will.i.am funded yet another man in the industry.
"Funk You Up" by The Sequence
The Sequence released the first rap single from a women's rap group in 1979 with "Funk You Up." One of its members, Angie Stone, is now a neo-soul icon.
MC Lyte
The 1988 release of Lyte's album, Lyte as a Rock, marked the birth of Black women as solo emcees.
Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah's first album dropped in 1989 when she part of the Native Tongues.  Her company, Flavor Unit (now The Unit) has produced and influenced dozens of rappers.