Hip Hop Genius: Remixing High School Education

by Sam Seidel, George Clinton (Foreword), Herbert Kohl (Preface)

Many educators already know that hip-hop can be a powerful tool for engaging students. But can hip-hop save our schools? In Hip Hop Genius, Sam Seidel introduces an iteration of hip-hop education that goes far beyond the usual approach of studying rap music as classroom content and looks instead at deeply honoring the knowledge of urban students. Seidel lays out a vision for how hip-hop's genius—the resourceful creativity and swagger that took it from a local phenomenon to a global force—can lead to a fundamental remix of the way we think of teaching, school design, and leadership.

Through stories about the professional rapper who founded the first hip-hop high school and the aspiring artists currently enrolled there, Hip Hop Genius invites readers to think outside the (boom)box about what hip-hop education can mean and to consider the implications that a broader definition of hip-hop education could have on their teaching and learning experiences.

This book is for all of the educators in need of new solutions and all the hip-hop heads who know hip-hop is far more than music. It is for everyone who refuses to watch brilliant young people slip through the cracks and is down to take action.

View Sam's YouTube trailer for the book

Genres: Education, Nonfiction, Teaching

186 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2011

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This is all news to me. I love the way Sam explains to us up front what hip-hop is and where it came from--making something out of nothing plus stuff that was cast off. Then he takes us on a trip around the High School for Recording Arts to show us how the school helps students who were "thrown away" make something of themselves. In the end, he shows us how the school we are reading about can contribute to others' learning to take what they have found and make new schools. Okay, I'm not explaining it as well as Sam does--you have to read his book. Some of it reads like a sociologist's doctoral thesis, but most of it reads like that kind of journalism where the writer can't kelp but admire what he's writing about. At the end, he tells us where he came from so we can understand his perspective.

I took notes on things to go look up, books to read, music to listen to, films to see:
George Clinton
Soul Train
Michael Jackson 1974 Dancin' Machine
Books--Vegan Soul Kitchen, Bryant Terry; Black Genius: African American solutions to African American Problems, Wlater Mosley 1999; Monster, Walter Dean Myers.
CDs--Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z, Diamonds from Sierra Leone Remix, Late Registration by Kanye West 2005, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Mary J. Blige, 50 Cent.
Films--1991 Boys in the Hood, John Singleton; 1983 Wild Style, Charlie Ahearn; Batman, Prince soundtrack; Graffiti Bridge - Prince movie with TC part.

[Grace O'Keeffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

References to Berger's "Ethic of Excellence" and Freire; High School for Recording Arts' strong emphasis on advisory, project-based learning, and competency-based learning; and a consistent mix of innovation, social awareness, and passion make this an amazing book for all educators who love their students in spite of the current education system.

[Rushay Booysen · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was fortunate enough to visit the school mentioned in the book and meet with TC and Tony Smimmons.The work they are doing with the kids is amazing.The author did a great piece with capturing the daily life at the school and expose the impact it has on these kids.Def a worthy read for any educator

[Chris McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book. A good primer on alternative education and more specifically, hip hop education. Mr. Seidel did a great job of answering my initial questions on the subject throughout the chapters in the book. I recommend for anyone interested in learning more about public school reform and alternative education.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoughtful, intriguing look at one approach to student-centered education, that grew organically out of the founder's life and community.

As a public alternative school, I'd be really interested in an update about how they are dealing with stepped-up federal mandates.

[Grisel Robles-schrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reminder that "one size fits all" model of education does not work; and an example of how to execute alternative educational approaches that are skills-based and have value towards a degree. Great job Seidel!

[Thorn MotherIssues · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked seeing how the school works for its students, though I wish this would have been a longer and deeper book.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. Any educator who is genuinely interested in reaching their students should read it.