Is Hip-hop the language of this generation? Duke University’s assistant professor/hip hop educator, J.Bully (F.L. ‘Robi’ Roberts, Jr.) believes that hip hop is an important tool of communication amongst institutions of higher learning and is in fact the lingo of this generation. Many newspaper and magazine columnist and highly respected professors concur that hip-hop is the language of this generation, but often a ridiculed one. Hip-hop educators agree that most hip-hop critics don’t speak or even understand the language and make no attempts to bridge the communication gaps. As a result, the population that needs to be addressed the most is often ignored.

J Bully, stated “We focus on the music, the product of hip hop culture. Understanding the culture as it relates to the music, I try to teach my students to critically and technically listen to hip hop and be able to break it down from a different perspective. Instead of simply saying ‘I like it’ or ‘I don’t like it’, tell me why you like or don’t like it.”

Howard University headed the hip-hop initiative pack by being the first university to teach hip-hop in 1991. With hip-hop hitting its third decade, hip-hop studies have become one of the most explosive subjects to hit academia in recent years. According to a 2005 survey by Stanford’s Hip-hop Archive, more than 300 courses on the subject of hip-hop are offered at colleges and universities across the country. Howard University now offers a minor in hip-hop studies. Unlike many other colleges and universities offering hip-hop studies on collegiate levels, Duke University offers hip-hop appreciation courses in their music department. Duke strives tries to erase the distinct separation between what goes on in the community and what happens on campus, through their hip- hop appreciation studies.

Duke University students say the classes have really been fun, educational and inspirational at the same time. They have learned new aspects and terms of hip-hop therefore enhancing their appreciation of the skills required to be both Mc’s, DJ’s and, as one student put it, “just living hip-hop.”

Where did hip-hop come from? The genre was developed predominantly by African-Americans and Latinos and many point to the Bronx, circa 1975, as a historical starting point. Hip-hop was indeed developed in the 1970’s in New York as both a music genre and a cultural movement. The term hip hop is often credited to Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five, rapper, Keith Cowboy. Though Lovebug, Starski, Keith Cowboy, and DJ Hollywood used the term when the music was known as disco rap, it is said that Cowboy created the term while teasing a friend who had just joined the United States Army, by scat singing the words “hip/hop/hip/hop” in a way that mimicked the rhythmic cadence of marching soldiers. Cowboy later worked the “hip hop” cadence into a part of his stage performance, which was quickly copied by other artists.

“J Bully” is no stranger to the world of hip-hop. He has definitely made his impact on the music game, starting his own record label, UnderWorld Recordings, INC., performing on various hip-hop stages including: The Source Magazine Unsigned Hype MC Battle, Magazine MC Battles and by making television appearances on BET’s Park Freestyle Friday. “J Bully” has mixed it up on several mix tapes while hitting the Billboard Charts for Hip-Hop Single sales with his independent CD single release “Ridiculous”/”Ya’ll Know,” in 2002. He has had great success in the department of music, collaborating with some of music’s greatest producer’s such as platinum North Carolina producer Ski Beatz.

Celebrate change. Celebrate hip-hop. Be a part of the change and help raise the awareness of a positive, empowering culture and a positive means of artistic expression. Support hip-hop. [Hip-hop appreciation week is May 14-21st.]