Renowned Public Enemy Frontman to Visit Annual Hip Hop Conference

“To talk about hip hop is to talk about lived experiences of African Americans in particular and other oppressed people,” says Dr. Ramona Bell, chair of the Department of Critical Race, Gender & Sexuality Studies. Dr. Bell started the Hip Hop Conference in 2013, one year after teaching a course called “Hip Hop and the Black Experience.” CRGS is an interdisciplinary field, Dr. Bell says, which brings together ethnic studies, history, sociology, psychology, life and social sciences, literature, and other fields of study. She adds that, “A hip hop course is a great opportunity for interdisciplinary study and hands-on learning.”  “Students get excited when they realize they can study hip hop culture and rap music in a university classroom,” Bell says. “People who love the music and the culture want to talk about it.” This year’s Hip Hop Conference features a keynote address from Chuck D, leader and co-founder of legendary group Public Enemy and part of the supergroup Prophets of Rage, social activist, author, film producer, and digital music pioneer, on Tuesday, April 23, from 5-7 p.m in the Van Duzer Theatre.  “Public Enemy and Chuck D have been and are one of my favorite groups,” says Jeff Crane,...