VOCAB
a circle or gathering of people sharing their art, energy and knowledge.
Cypher
this person uses paint, sharpies and other tools to express theirselves visually. they create sketches, murals and sometimes they tag building and trains.
a very intelligent or passionate person that thinks differently from their peers and often become leaders of the future
Genius
understanding yourself, your thoughts, behaviors, passions and values.
Self-Knowledge
the chorus part of a song that the audience sings along to; often very catchy and summarizes the topic of the song
Hook
positive messages that you say (or write) to yourself and others
Affirmations
this person controls the microphone and leads the crowd. some rap, sing, and tell stories, while some use their voice to speak on important things or give instruction
Emcee
something you feel you were meant to do no matter what. the reason you were put here or have the unique experiences that you have. usually the reason people create art
Purpose
the act of creating your art, speaking your truth, having fun, and sharing your energy
Self-Expression
two words that sound similar or have the same ending. rappers and poets use this technique to make their bars sound catchy and connected
Rhyme
a powerful genre of music created by Black and Latino youth that pushes peace, love, unity and having fun.
HipHop
this person is a core element to HipHop because they create the live sounds that people party to, and rap over. they use turntables and a mixer, and sometimes they make playlists and beats.
DJ
a gathering of emcees or dancers going back and forth to display their talent
Cypher
a group of people living in the same area or sharing common attitudes, cultures, and values.
Community
unique qualities, beliefs, experiences that make up who you are and how you see yourself
Identity
an strong desire or enthusiasm for something; it fuels your hard work and helps you stand out.
Passion
Breakdancing
sometimes HipHop artists use their voice and platform to speak about injustices and harm being done towards their communities. many even use this power to become political activists, which can be a type of...
Rebellion
a vibe you can feel within yourself, in others, and in different spaces. it can shift based on how you decide to add to it, change it or react.
Energy
this person creates and composes music using beat machines, samples and live instruments
Producer
a segment of time, also called a measure, that contains a specific number of beats. also considered having a "tough" line in rap
Bar
this element threads through all elements of HipHip. without it, artist wouldn't have purpose or a message behind their art
Knowledge / Self-Knowledge
limits you set for yourself and others to maintain positive energy; often determines the behaviors you allow or the content you engage with
Boundaries
resisting authority, control and harm. going against the majority for something you believe in, and standing on business.
Rebellion
the capacity or ability to direct or influence the behavior of others; to move and travel with great speed or force
Power