Afrika Bambaataa, Rhymefest, The GZA, Ma Dukes, Doug E. Fresh Get Honored
Hip-Hop 4 Education!

New York City Schools Hire The GZA of The Wu-Tang Clan to Teach Science
(AllHipHop News) In Hip-Hop’s early years it was scrutinized as a genre by popular media, the government and the general public for being violent, obscene and destructive to the communities of America. Coupled with the popular opinion that “the streets” have ways of taking kids out of their desks in the classroom and to the corners of their local neighborhoods, Hip-Hop’s educational value was deemed limited from the start. But not so fast – according to a recent CBS news story, hip-hop music is being used in New York City’s public schools to teach 9th graders about science by writing rhymes and rapping. The pilot program uses Hip-Hop music to teach science in ten of New York City’s public schools and was co-founded by Dr. Chris Emdin of Columbia University’s Teachers College and The Gza. The Gza actually came up with the idea for the pilot program and Dr. Chris Emdin was able to bring it to fruition. “The people who most embrace hip-hop culture are the same populations who are most disinterested in school and disinterested in science,” Emdin explained in an interview about the rapping science program. “To me, the markers of success are the students who see themselves as scientists, who are having conversations about science,” Emdin said. In seeking ways to engage minority students, Emdin formed an alliance with the Wu-Tang’s The GZA, who has been a guest speaker and instrumental in the children’s development. Even though the GZA dropped out of high school in the 10th grade, the GZA says he has a lifelong passion for science that he wants to share it through the program he co-founded. “The goal is just to awaken the children, make them more aware and embrace science and everything connected to it,” GZA said. The work with New York City’s school system comes on the heels of GZA’s work with some of the world’s top physicists and cosmologists at MIT and Cornell University, as they consulted him for his project Dark Matter, verifying the scientific possibilities of his rhymes. According to the CBS study, across the country, the latest study of high school seniors shows Asians had the best average test scores in science. Latino and black students had the lowest. Check the video below and check the rhymes!

Hip-Hop’s First Female Emcee Gets Honored At Cornell University With Afrika Bambaataa
(AllHipHop News) When Nicki Minaj was just likely just getting out of her diapers, Hip-Hop’s first female MC was spitting bars with the best rappers of the day. Current day Hip-Hop fans may not be aware of the name, but MC Sha Rock is a step closer to getting the acclaim she deserves as Cornell University hosts an exhibit that will chart rap music in the 70’s. The “Now Scream: The Hip-Hop Collection Exhibition” will run from April 4-7 at Cornell in Ithaca, New York. Screening films will also be included in the exhibit and highlight vintage footage of The Original Funky Four MC’s, a group that included the first female rapper. “I am humbled and honored that the Cornell University Hip Hop Collection, will showcase the first vintage film footage that was documented and dated in 1977 by a young man’s task to complete a high school project,” Sha Rock told AllHipHop.com in a statement. The footage chronicles her as the first female MC. This weekend also marks Africa Bambaataa’s return to Ithaca as visiting scholar. Other guests include The GZA of Wu Tang Clan, DJ Afrika Bambaataa, Grandmaster Caz, JDL of the legendary Cold Crush Brothers, and DJ Breakbeat Lou For more on Sha Rock, go to www.mcsharockonline.com. Also, go to www.unboundfromtheunderground.com. Check out “It’s The Joint” by The Funky Four + One from Sugarhill Records. [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTJ6RrQoOxU?feature=player_detailpage&w=640&h=360]