Jam on It: Hip Hop Awareness Week

Attention Bloomington: Clear your schedules, and turn up your stereos.

The ninth annual Hip Hop Awareness Week, organized by the IU Hip Hop Congress and Union Board, is in full swing. Genre-related speakers, performances, contests and showcases are available to anyone interested.

And the party doesn’t stop until Friday.

Hip Hop Congress – denoted by its Web site as “an international grassroots network that educates, empowers and unites individuals” – is the chief supporter of the week, former IU chapter president and current graduate student Tim Zawada said.

The events are planned to raise awareness of hip-hop culture and how the culture can benefit IU.

“Students can meet and network with each other, and decide how to incorporate hip-hop into the community,” Zawada said.

Thursday brings The Martians, Wiz Kids, Jip Jop, S-Preme and Wondermaxx to the Indiana Memorial Union Gallery as part of Union Board’s weekly NOISE series. Wondermaxx, aka IU junior Jacob Kowalczyk, said his performance will incorporate dancing and politics.

“I address social political issues, issues relevant to everyone no matter what music they listen to,” he said. “We usually get people groovin’.”

The week’s self-expression isn’t limited to vocal performance.

Junior Keane Rowley, president of the IU Breakdance Club, said he looks forward to b-boy action in the Hip Hop Elements Gallery Friday night. The event, taking place at the Indiana Memorial Union, will showcase breakdancing and graffiti art and include competitions for the hip-hop-savvy.

“All of the elements of hip-hop come together,” he said.

Friday night will also feature a benefit show for Grind Time Midwest, an MC Battle League. It will take place at Uncle Fester’s and feature an open mic for MCs, as well as performances by Sonny Bamboo, Tree City All-Stars, 2 Mics and a Kit, Feso and Remnent.

Wednesday’s festivities put politics to the forefront as Dead Prez took the Buskirk-Chumley Theater stage Wednesday night.

Freshman Nichole Binder said she bought tickets after receiving an event invitation on Facebook.
“I love political science and music, so the two together are a great time for me.”

Currently an informal advisor for IU Hip Hop Congress, Zawada said the week’s featured speakers and performers add intellectualism and cultural education to entertainment.

“Across the years, (Hip Hop Awareness Week) has a similar theme, but the biggest separator from year to year is our headliners,” he said. “They have potential of mass influence. People recognize this, and take their words seriously,” he said.

Cornel West, author and civil rights activist, spoke Monday at the IU auditorium. West answered student questions and signed copies of his book “Hope on a Tightrope.”

“IU students need to see more speakers like Dr. West,” freshman Erika Hall, Union Board Public Relations committee member, said. “He offers different insight to those used to old-fashioned ways of thinking. Plus, he’s brilliantly funny.”

From dancing to artwork to academics to music, Hip Hop Awareness Week has something for everyone, Zawada said.

“The week is about taking advantage of the college experience,” he said. “It takes you away from the classroom and builds you as a person, whether you’re familiar with hip-hop or not.”