Clockwise from left: Deanna Williams, Deejay 007, Ursula Rucker, Tame, Queen Joe, Dr. Aaron Smith
Hip-hop birthdays are historical records. August 11th, 1973. That night, Clive Campbell wondered what it would sound like to change his DJ set for a back-to-school party in the Bronx. He matched an instrumental break on one record to a break on another record to form a continuous loop. What the DJ we know as Kool Herc did that night was invent the ‘merry-go-round’ technique, which is at the heart of a very new kind of music. Hip-hop emerged throughout the 1970s as a distinctive musical genre independently created by black Americans.
On Friday, June 16, WURD Radio will pay tribute to hip-hop and celebrate Black Music Month with World Cafe Live. A Message in Our Music: Black Music as an Inspirational and Inspiring Soundtrack marks the 50th anniversary of the genre’s origins with an evening of entertainment and reflection.
The event will feature a panel discussion focused on the influence, power and presence of hip-hop in music, history and the American experience. Panelists include Temple University ‘Rap Professor’ Dr. Aaron Smith, artist and community organizer Tame, Queen of Philadelphia Queen Joe, and radio personality and Black Music Month co-founder Deanna Williams. , spoken word artist Ursula Rucker.
The night will also feature a music trivia contest with prizes. Cypher (for seriously old people, freestyle his rap playing in a circle) and open mic promise to encourage talented and enthusiasts alike to contribute to the energy of the celebration. To do.
WURD Creative and Production Director and stage door Host Tiffany Bacon leads Message In Our Music. “This event not only celebrates the contributions of black musicians, but also encourages meaningful conversations about the power of music to bring about social change,” she said in her statement. I hope this evening will be a source of education, reflection and inspiration. ”
Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, WURD Radio was the only African-American owned and operated talk radio station in Pennsylvania and one of only three talk radio stations in the United States. was purchased by Dr. Walter P. Lomax Jr. in 2002. it is now run by his daughter, Sara Lomax-Reese, president and CEO of WURD.
Today, WURD serves as a dedicated space for dialogue, discussion, and representation for Philadelphia’s black community, fostering civic engagement, providing news and information, and through a celebration of black culture, history, and achievement. We ensure the preservation of culture. FM broadcast, live stream online and on Facebook.
hip hop influence
Over the past 50 years, hip-hop has transformed the international music industry, fashion and language. Hip-hop is a transnational and global cultural phenomenon, adopted and adapted by diverse groups outside the United States, contributing to the globalization of US pop culture. Its economic and entrepreneurial impact cannot be overestimated. The industry includes 30% of all streaming, plus clothing lines, independent record labels, and media production, generating $10 billion annually in the US alone.
For 50 years, hip-hop has empowered marginalized communities while reshaping mainstream culture. The genre continues to prove a platform for artists to express themselves in ways that address both serious social issues and the vulgarity of human nature, with an equally poetic lyricism. .
Friday, June 16, 8-11pm. Doors open at 6pm. You can buy tickets here $20 in advance, $25 on the day. 3025 Walnut Street
