By Hunter Krebel/reporter
The genre of hip-hop music is associated with many words and ideas, but organizers of the Hip-Hop Summit on NE Campus Feb. 27 want to add another one — leadership.
Trill or Not Trill, a group that uses pop culture to teach student development and leadership, will perform during the summit.
“They’re going to be doing a presentation about how elements of hip-hop can be applied to how we are as leaders,” NE student activities coordinator Cara Walker said.
Trill or Not Trill will share five elements of hip-hop and how those apply to leadership. The two-hour event will conclude with a dance routine from NE dance group Movers Unlimited.
“We were invited to be part of the event,” NE dance professor Kihyoung Choi said. “We also started working on hip-hop work from last semester, and we thought this piece would be perfect for this event.”
NE dance associate professor Hyun Jung Chang explained why she chose the dance piece the group will perform.
“Last semester, I began working on a hip-hop piece called ‘#loveyoself’ to ’i’ by Kendrick Lamar because I was inspired to share the crucial need of self-love in order to be loving to others and the world despite the pain and hurt it brings,” Chang said. “Lamar’s lyrics spoke to me, and I felt that not just I but many others can relate to his message.”
Chang classified the upcoming performance as a “docu-dance,” a dance showing the evolution of hip-hop from underground music to mainstream.
“The beginning of the docu-dance is focused on historical information and supportive/creative movement,” Chang said. “Then, it begins to transition into the expression of our own message of self-love. Although the dance focuses on using hip-hop-based choreography, it also displays a variety of movement like traditional Korean dance, disco and jazz.”
Chang said she’s privileged to spread the knowledge of hip-hop and wanted to choreograph an educational and meaningful dance to show her love of the genre.
“We are a couple of rehearsals away and are excited to present what we’ve worked on at the Hip-Hop Summit,” she said.
Walker said she would like those who attend the summit to gain a different perspective on hip-hop and leadership.
“I hope students or whoever attends gets a better insight on their leadership abilities, maybe some further knowledge about hip-hop and that it’s more than just music,” she said. “It’s a cultural experience.”
Hip-Hop Summit
Feb. 27, 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Center Corner
(NSTU 1615A) NE Campus
