Hip Hop as a Force For Good? ❤️ or 😂?
Plus curated news, dope interdisciplinary events, CFPs, and more
☮️ Hello again friends, neighbors, supporters, and haters!
I recently saw a meme being shared on Facebook attempting to show just how badly the United States education system is for our young people — particularly young students of color. Which it is.
I replied simply, “Hip Hop can fix this.”
If you know me, you know that I truly believe that it can, based on years of studying that possibility, and sharing the work, research, and experiences of many others who believe this as well.
Interestingly, the first two emoji responses to my statement were a heart ❤️, and then a laughing face 😂.
In many ways, this one tiny moment represents everything I’m working to do here. For me, “Hip Hop Can Save America!” is more than a catchy podcast title. I truly believe that within the DNA of Hip Hop and with the help of Hip Hop-minded folks, solutions can be found which can address, allieviate, and in some cases, eliminate our most pressing societal ills, from economic disparity to racial division to international conflict resolution, and so much more.
I literally wrote a whole ass book about it (dropping, like, momentarily!).
If you’re here reading this, you’re probably the type that would have given the ❤️. First, I’m glad you’re here. “Here” exists because I’m obviously a ❤️ person too, but I wanted a way to bring the ❤️ people together.
Facebook is NOT that place — and to be honest, most “Hip Hop” outlets or platforms aren’t either.
So over the years I created the pieces of the flower-giving and Hip Hop innovation amplification ecosystem that I wished to see. The podcast, the livestream, this newsletter, the Discord, speaking engagements, the book…
For you to enjoy or benefit from this ecosystem, it almost doesn’t matter if you’re a “Hip Hop Head” or not. Are you a teacher? A parent? A student? A rap music fan? A business owner? A (well-meaning) politician? (Yes, I still believe they exist) An historian? An activist? A random citizen?
Maybe even a 😂 person who somehow stumbled in here?
The thing is, we can all benefit, because there is essentially no area of human experience that can’t be enhanced when it is authentically and intentionally connected with Hip Hop culture.
This can be especially helpful in leveling the playing field when it comes to traditionally underserved communities — and in fact, I’d say this mindset contains unparalled guidance for how we should be recreating many of these playing fields in the first place!
So, it made sense to me that we really needed to be able to discuss Hip Hop as a way to change systems. A few folks and orgs engage in that sort of talk, but I envisoned a place we could all gather.
It remains to be seen if those folks will heed the call, but we’ve got a nice little community brewing so far, so we’ll see.
So, if you’re new to the ecosystem, welcome. If you’re a ❤️ person, please jump in the Discord, share this newsletter, watch the videos, listen to the podcast, and bring some friends along.
If you’re a 😂 person, someone who might laugh at the idea that Hip Hop can play any role in improving society and uplifting humanity, well… I’d kinda ask that you do the same things. Check out the interviews with brilliant innovators and thoughtleaders, check out my editorials, peep the innovative, inspiring, and insightful Hip Hop stories below that aren’t about dumb sh*t, and attend the events we have listed.
Around here, we don’t believe Hip Hop is the problem, but instead, represents solutions. Still, without people… without community… without you and others like you, we might lose the opportunities we have to fight the power by being the power.
So, let’s gather to make sure that doesn’t happen. Invite your folks, and support the work if you can.
Are you with me?
🌎 I’ll be in NYC in early June for #HipHopEd and a couple other NY/NJ events, in Atlanta in June to speak at Crafted For Action, Atlanta again in August for Banjee Boombox, and that’s not even counting other upcoming book talk appearances! Keep an eye on my calendar for when I might be in a city near you — and if you’re looking for a speaker, I’m definitely booking dates for the summer and fall!
ANY MINUTE NOW…
📢 OMGOMGOMG! It’s almost here, Hip Hop Can Save America! the book!! Those who have been paying attention have seen me tease the impending released of my debut book. There was a slight delay on the publisher’s side 😠, but it’s dropping very soon! Some more info here if you’re curious in the meantime, but stay tuned for a link to purchase and other updates.
I am currently seeking media appearances and keynote speaking opportunities in support of the book and its larger message, so if you are or know someone who can help with any of that, please message me and I’ll give you more info.
📰 HIP HOP NEWS THAT ISN’T ABOUT DUMB SH*T
(This section brought to you by our brand new DISCORD COMMUNITY! Click to join the ongoing conversations!)
🕊️ R.I.P. LGP Qua, Philly rapper known for socially conscious lyrics
🕊️ R.I.P. Rutgers professor and jazz artist, Dr. Ali Chaudhary
💐 Profile on our good friend Dr. Lauren Kelly: How Hip-Hop Pedagogy Is Transforming Classroom Learning
RELATED: HHCSA INTERVIEW WITH DR. KELLY
🤑 A Brooklyn school backed by Jay-Z said students could graduate debt-free. Now they're buried in it.
📄 RESEARCH STUDY: Positive impact of hip-hop pedagogy on student's learning effects
⚖️ Rapper jailed for 21 years after his lyrics were used against him issues stark warning to all artists
RELATED: 🚨 How social media and rap podcasts became an invaluable tool for police
ALSO RELATED: HHCSA episode on ‘rap on trial’
🤖 Lupe Fiasco on his new art project and looking at rap ‘in a deep academic way’
📺 A university student’s documentary chronicles the rise of Jordan’s hip-hop scene
🎭 Classic Literature Meets Hip Hop in Raphael Xavier’s Brilliant ‘Skiff’ [REVIEW]
🐊 Doechii Is Cosmo’s Summer Cover Star and Dishes on Writing “Denial Is a River”
🎤 How Little Simz Is Reclaiming Her Story On New Album: ‘I’m Not Trying To Force My Truth On Anyone’
📺 Ana Tijoux, French Chilean Musician, on First Album in 10 Years, Gaza Protests, Trump Admin & Hope
📺 How ‘Video Music Box’ Host Ralph McDaniels is Preserving Hip-Hop History on YouTube
⌚ Shinola Celebrates Hip-Hop Legend J Dilla With Special Capsule Collection
📺 Meet Plaqueboymax, Rap's Gen Z Tastemaker
📰 “Hip Hop Saved My Life”: Trinity’s Annual International Hip Hop Festival Recap
🕺 These Dancers conduct an Orchestra ONLY with Breaking Moves
📅 INTERDISCIPLINARY HIP HOP EVENTS & IMPORTANT DATES
(This section brought to you by our YOUTUBE CHANNEL! Click to watch our videos and livestreams!)
DEADLINES, CALLS FOR PAPERS/PRESENTATIONS/ARTICLES/ETC.
DUE MAY 31: Submissions - Hip Hop Film Festival
DUE JUNE 8: Hip Hop Summer Youth Intensive at The Residency Seattle is now accepting applications
DUE JULY 1: The Journal of Hip-Hop and Education (JHHE) is accepting submissions for its inaugural issue
DUE JULY 15: CFP - Global Hip Hop Studies Journal
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 16 [Yonkers, NY]: “The Art of the Emcee” - A Hip Hop Educational Performance / Workshop Event
May 19 [NYC]: Hip Hop Art With D. Cross (Children’s program at Queens Public Library)
May 27 [NYC]: NCORE Pre-Conference Hip-Hop Institute
May 31 [San Diego]: Show & Prove Hip Hop Studies Conference (Call for proposals now open through Feb. 28)
June 3 [VIRTUAL]: NAFME Webinar: Hip Hop, Neurodivergence, and the Music Classroom: A New Groove - Andrew Wang & José Valentino
* June 5 [NYC]: Manny Faces “Hip Hop Can Save America!” Book Talk
* June 6-7 [NYC]: #HipHopEd Conference
June 7 [NYC]: New York Beatbox Championship
June 16 [VIRTUAL]: The Hip Hop Architecture Camp Virtual Town Hall
* June 20 [ATL]: Panel discussion (ft. Skyzoo, Manny Faces) “Crafting The Culture: The Dynamic Intersection of Hip Hop & Craft Beverages” - Part of the 2025 Crafted for Action Craft Beer Conference
June 27 - 29 [ATL]: Hip Hop Congress International Hip Hop Conference
July 5 [ATL]: Nas with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra
July 26 [ATL]: Jeezy Presents TM:101 LIVE with Color of Noize Orchestra
Oct. 11 [L.A.]: Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final
* November [D.C.]: Third Annual Hip Hop Studies Conference at Howard University (More info to come)
March 18-21, 2026 [Netherlands]: European Hip Hop Studies Conference 9.0
(* Manny Faces will be there!)
KNOW OF AN EVENT THAT SHOULD GO HERE? TELL ME!!
🙏 Thank you to our newest supporters, Jennifer M., Red Summer and Murray F.! Remember, “big media” doesn’t want to support this kind of work. It’s up to us. Please become a paid member if you can.
(Or on Patreon, if that’s your preferred platform.)
Thanks y’all. Get at me on BlueSky. Join the Patreon. Come to the Discord! Visit my website! Hit me on Instagram. Talk to me nice!
Knicks in 6!
-Manny