Educating Through Hip-Hop Culture: Marcel P. Black Brings His Movement to Athens

The month of July is Real Emcees Don’t Rap Over Vocals (#REDROV) month, founded by emcee, hip-hop culture promoter and youth educator Marcel P. Black. It’s one powerful element representative of a bigger movement, just as the Oklahoma-based, by way of Louisiana, rapper’s ties to the Athens music scene are symbolic of the sharing and transference of culture worldwide. The Stop Rapping Over Vocals Movement, spearheaded by Black, provokes a lot of controversy in online discussions and hip-hop podcasts. However, Black says that live performances are the peak form of self-expression, and not rapping over vocals is his way of keeping that alive. On a deeper level, emceeing is one of the elements of hip-hop culture, and he explains it’s a continuation or extension of the African oral tradition that came to North America by way of the Middle Passage. “On a strictly rap level, it sounds better and is more impressive/entertaining to your fanbase if you can sound just as good as or better than the recorded track when you perform. Also, it makes you more attractive to talent buyers and booking agents,” says Black. The Classic City is a stop on Black’s #REDROV tour, bringing his “conscious rap...