In today’s society most hip hop consumers are bland to the history and the origin of Hip Hop. Hip Hop is a cultural that dictates today’s music circulation from radio to television to the Internet and among a number of other markets.

Kawachi Clemons, Director of North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Hip Hop Initiative and NCCU in artist resident’s 9th Wonder (a.k.a. Patrick Douthit) and Christopher “Play” Martin of Kid ‘n Play are changing the way Hip Hop is viewed and seen.

This year’s 2007, NCCU Hip Hop Summit, a vision, produced by NCCU graduate and Sony / Columbia Marketing VIP Sherese Malachi, made history by proving to be much more than just music. Most music lovers would agree that Ms. Malachi has earned her place in the corporate world of music.

Malachi, helped to organize a summit designed to assess and educate the African-American community about the culture of Hip Hop while providing area college students with a greater appreciation for the music and culture which so many of them tend to praise, follow and idolize.

The summit informs individuals on new developments within the industry, current equipment and technology. The summit also allows interested individuals a variety of networking opportunities with professionals within the entertainment arena as well as curriculum development seminars designed for primary and secondary teachers.

Experts in various segments of music and entertainment careers from MTV, Sirius Satellite Radio, Essence Magazine and Allhiphop.com discuss a wide array of topics that include: “Men and Women: The Fight for Power in the Music Industry,” “Online Media: The Wave of the Future,” “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” “So You Want to be in Media: Radio, TV and Print.”

Martin stated, “We are really excited about what we have created for the students and I’m privileged to be a part of a major edification pinnacle that’s helping advance the culture and history of Hip Hop music, fashion and film. We are connecting the history and boroughs of New York to the grounds of North Carolina Central University.”

The summit made North Carolina Central University home to many familiar faces in the art of music including: Mc Lyte, Doug E Fresh, Dana Dane, Monie Love, Big Daddy Kane, Public Enemy’s Chuck D and recent class surprise visits from Blackmoon’s Buckshot Shorty and Darryl “DMC” McDaniel of RunDMC.

The NCCU Hip Hop summit is in its second year partly due to nationally recording artist Little Brothers. The vision first seen by Central’s Little Brothers was to initially stage a community service project designed to educate and inspire students interested in pursuing music careers. The summit also includes a film festival, old school hip-hop concert, spoken word slam, DJ and producer competition and a talent show case that are all open to the general public.

Hip Hop’s first lady Mc Lyte states, “I think this is great, it’s happening all over the U.S. in different areas different schools all over the country. I’m just happy to be in the mist of a very eventful weekend.”

According to a Harvard University Hip Hop Archive study there were over 75 Hip Hop courses being taught in universities across the country in 2004. NCCU admin believe it is because of initiatives like this that the culture and history of hip hop still exists as a resourceful and advantageous Mecca on college campuses and universities today.

Lyte says, “I don’t think any television networks are making it their responsibilities to really teach the history of hip hop so we must do it.”

Students from North Carolina Central University, Duke University, North Carolina A&T State University, N.C. State University, Saint Augustine’s College, Shaw University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill are encouraged to participate in making history. For more information or to register, please log onto to www.nccuhiphop.com.