THE HIP-HOP ISSUE
When we finalized having an issue celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop in August, we had no idea we would be creating it and reporting it out in such a pivotal point for the college.
Our reporters have been scouring campus and the city for powerful stories about hip-hop to tell, while the music at Columbia has literally and figuratively stopped due to the part-time faculty union’s strike that started on Monday, Oct. 30. As of the time of publication, negotiations between the college and Columbia Faculty Union remain at a stalemate.
Out of the 12 courses running in the fall 2023 semester for the college’s hip-hop minor, there are six part-time instructors teaching the courses either independently or with full-time faculty members.
That means the hip-hop minor’s 100-level classes, all the way to the program’s two practicum courses – “AEMMP Record Label” and “Events Management” – are hit by the strike.
Yet, these students in the program are working through it, by way of their creativity, and passion and commitment to their craft to keep hip-hop alive on campus, even if their classes, in some cases, come to a halt.
While the Chronicle reporters have dedicated so much time and energy into reporting on the part-time faculty union’s strike, which is now one of the longest strikes in Columbia history, we were committed to not let this milestone in hip-hop pass us.
In this issue, the Chronicle looks at hip-hop through the lens of fashion and the hip-hop heritage museum. We dive into the history of hip-hop and how the genre laid down its roots in Chicago 50 years ago.
We examine hip-hop as a form of poetry and through street art in the city.
Bringing it home to Columbia’s campus, we report on the revitalization of the college’s Hip-Hop Club and the hip-hop minor.
Our photographers give us insight into what goes on behind the scenes of the college’s hip-hop ensemble and members of our community who keep the heart of Columbia’s hip-hop presence beating.
We ask you to join us as we tell stories that highlight Columbia – and Chicago’s – dynamic hip-hop scene and move forward with celebrating it well beyond its anniversary.
