Roknic, Nikolina

Catch the Beat: Rap and Hip Hop Music in the Classroom

Keywords: Rap and Hip Hop, Poetry, Multiple Literacies, Student Engagement

Abstract

Students today are listening to rap and hip hop music, which is an integral part of today’s mainstream music. Youth are exposed to it on a daily basis just by simply turning on the radio, watching television or a movie. The researcher chose to explore the topic of using rap and hip hop music as a form of multiple literacies in the classroom, with a specific emphasis on using it as a form of poetry. The study attempts to answer how teachers can bring this form of popular culture into the classroom and make it relevant to their students’ learning and the curriculum.
Two exemplary practitioners were interviewed providing their valuable insights and experiences of successfully incorporating rap and hip hop music in their classrooms. Preliminary analysis suggests that using rap and hip hop music in the classroom can be an innovative and engaging approach to instigate and stimulate learning.

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank the members of my research group for their ongoing support and feedback. Additionally, I would also like thank my research participants for taking their time to speak with me about their novel approach of using rap and hip hop music in the classroom. Their contribution to my research was invaluable. Equally, I would like to send a shout out to Dr. Clare Kosnik for her encouragement, advice and guidance throughout this research process.