This 90-minute presentation examines the role of arts and culture — specifically hip-hop — in efforts to promote equality and battle against injustice.
The interactive, multimedia presentation will look at:
- hip-hop’s creative history representing the underrepresented
- surge of ‘conscious’ rap music in the ‘90s
- decline of such music in the ‘mainstream’
- public misconceptions about hip-hop
- current state of ‘hip-hop protest music’
- innovative methods of promoting social justice through hip-hop music, culture & spirit
- what is diminishing hip-hop’s collective political/activist power
- how can hip-hop ‘community’ become more of a ‘constituency’
- how to introduce hip-hop into efforts not traditionally connected with the culture
- local, national, and international examples of merging hip-hop and social justice
Audiences will gain a greater understanding of how hip-hop music, culture, and spirit have traditionally influenced social issues, what might be hindering the artform’s potential to affect change, and why current and future social justice efforts must include a comprehensive understanding, and inclusion, of hip-hop.
Highlighting specific examples of music and other creative elements, hip-hop infused journalism, grass-roots organizations, and forward-thinking academia, the presentation aims to inspire hip-hop fans and detractors alike to see the nation’s dominant youth culture as more than just music on the radio, and how vitally important it can be in the fight for social justice.
A Q&A will follow, with an (optional) short performance.
About Manny Faces
Manny Faces is an award-winning, new media journalist based in the New York Metropolitan area. He founded acclaimed hip-hop media outlets including Birthplace Magazine, an online entertainment and lifestyle publication focusing on hip hop music and culture in the NYC-area, and a live podcast/video show, The NY Hip Hop Report, originally launched in 2012.
In late 2015, he founded The Center for Hip-Hop Advocacy (www.hiphopadvocacy.org), a non-profit organization utilizing journalism, original research, and media/public outreach to increase awareness and understanding of hip-hop’s important artistic and cultural contributions.
In 2017, Manny was recruited to produce News Beat (www.usnewsbeat.com), a groundbreaking, multiple award-winning podcast series that melds hard-hitting social justice journalism and expert interviews with music and original hip-hop lyrics crafted by independent hip-hop artists. News Beat was recently awarded Best Podcast at the 2018 New York Press Club Journalism Awards.
Manny, who is also an accomplished DJ, producer/remixer, podcaster and radio/Q&A/event host, is an outspoken advocate for hip hop music and culture, and has lectured, moderated and participated in panel discussions and conducted workshops at universities, organizations, conferences and festivals throughout the world.
About Silent Knight
A prolific recording and performing artist, Silent Knight has a reputation for being one of the hardest working artists in independent hip-hop. And it’s easy to see why, from being the frontman of The Band Called FUSE, to hosting and curating their monthly Line Up showcase in NYC, to releasing almost a dozen albums independently in less than 10 years. Charismatic yet humble, SK’s genuineness comes across in his music and in his energetic and engaging stage show.
A seasoned, award-winning artist, SK has captivated crowds on many world-renowned stages and opened for, or collaborated with, a wide array of acts, including Inspectah Deck of the Wu-Tang Clan, Nneka, Talib Kweli, 112, and members of The Roots. He has also worked with many notable producers including !llmind (Drake, J,Cole), Jake One (JAY Z), & M-Phazes (Eminem).
As an artist/activist, Silent Knight also has experience in community organizing, having worked on, and performed for, local political campaigns, and is currently lending his voice and perspective as the 2018 Artist-in-Residence with News Beat, a groundbreaking, multiple award-winning podcast series that melds hard-hitting social justice journalism and expert interviews, with music and original hip-hop lyrics. SK and his band were an integral part of News Beat’s “Why We Riot” episode, which was recently awarded Best Journalism Podcast at the 2018 New York Press Club Awards.