Assignment Paper
For this assignment, should you choose to do it, is due December 13th. Write a one and a half page synopsis .
“Mother of the Mic” – TWO LINKS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUu_5AWh18oLinks to an external site.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5abzQ47WDJULinks to an external site.
This assignment is taken from a recent ABC news segment on MC Sha-Rock, who we’ve discussed early on in the semester. This is your chance to see some new footage of her in action, as well as more film on the early Bronx and the importance of women in hop-hop’s early rise. These clips touch on many of the women pioneers we examined, as well as others the book left out. These clips are quite recent, reflecting that even in 2021, the importance and accomplishments by women made in rap cannot be ignored. In your synopsis, include:
Simply describe what you saw in the clips and how it struck you. Summarize the links you just saw. Anything surprise you?
How did women in the ’90s started to address misogyny in hip-hop?
We discussed how ‘gangsta rap’ emerged in the late ’80s, mostly through the popularity of NWA . How did gangsta rap treat women? How did women listeners react to the music?
Talk about some of the artists in the clips. Whom were your favorite? What about there fashion and music stood out to you? Tie this into our readings.
Talk about Queen Latifa, one of the most recognizable women hip-hop figures. What was her importance before her acting career took off?
Discuss MC Lyte. What was her approach to rap? How was it different from other woman rappers?
What does it say about hip-hop that a major news network in 2021 is still covering early rap history and the contributions of women? Is it overdue? How does it add to the history? Do you think it is good for young women, especially those who participate in the culture, to know what women contributed?
