Hip-Hop Summit

Introducing the culture of hip-hop and the power it has to change lives is the theme of the third annual Hip-Hop Summit.

Showcasing poetry, fashion, music, stepping and a few surprises, the event hopes to show the importance of the culture in today's society, said LaToya Scott, creative director for the Hip-Hop Summit.

"I personally feel that the summit is important because it gives people a different look at the outlets of hip-hop," Scott said. "Hip-hop is a medium everyone can identify with in some form or fashion."

Scott said the Hip-Hop Summit is a learning experience for all and a great way for people of different cultures to learn to understand each other.

"Some students understand hip-hop artists and culture because of their upbringing, and some can't," she said. "However, if you look historically at the impact and growth hip-hop has had on our culture, even those people who have no prior background in hip-hop will still be able to enjoy the event."

The initial idea for the summit began when Scott researched the effect cultural arts has on minority groups.

Scott, who is a McNair Scholar, said once she started her research she discovered that it wasn't just minority groups that were affected.

"Throughout my research I kept seeing that people didn't feel a sense of community and culture," said Scott, a graduate student in higher education administration. "However, when cultural events came to campus, more students felt involved. That's when I decided to start the summit."

Past, present and future

Scott said each year she likes to bring in new collaborations and new fields of hip-hop.

"This year we are focusing on dance [and] fashion, as well as new avenues of hip-hop that most people wouldn't think of," Scott said.

Scott said introducing the hip-hop culture to younger generations is important.

"One day they will share their own experiences with hip-hop," Scott said. "We want to show the culture in a positive light and create a positive outlet for people to enjoy."

The Tuscaloosa Central High School Marching Band and students from Shelton State Community College, Stillman College and the University of West Alabama will contribute to the event, Scott said.

"It's a great honor for Central High School to be a part of this," Scott said.

The summit is set up in three divisions: past, present and future. Each division showcases the evolution of hip-hop and how the culture has shaped America.

The Greater New Testament Gospel Choir will take the summit to the past, showing how the church influenced the origins of hip-hop culture.

"Hip-hop came from the church initially," Scott said. "Most people don't know that, and we hope that by showing the evolution of hip-hop more people will become aware of its impact on society."

The present division of the summit will feature African and modern dances, and the future division will feature some "nice surprises," Scott said.

"We want to showcase some of the new and interesting things people are doing with hip-hop," Scott said. "We are keeping those things a surprise."

A touch of greek

Scott said the UA greek organizations play an important role not only in the summit, but for the campus as a whole.

Greek stepping, Scott said, has a lot to do with the modern dance styles of hip-hop.

She also said many times people see the greek organizations as simply stereotypes.

"I believe that when we host events like this on campus that everyone should be included," Scott said. "They have a lot to add to the show, and we want them to be included."

Other events

In addition to Thursday night's summit, other events are scheduled throughout the week as a way to introduce people to the world of hip-hop.

The Ferguson Center Heritage Room will host a listening party tonight at 7:30 p.m.

"This event is good because it allows students to come out and listen to local artists that are innovative with hip-hop styles," Scott said.

On Wednesday, Feb. 6 at noon, there will be a step tease in the Ferguson Theater.

Scott said this event holds great importance because for the first time, all the greek step groups will be showcasing their talent.

"We've never had it set up where all of the greeks perform at one time," Scott said. "Usually they are all separate. This year we wanted them all in the same place at the same time to expose people to what they are doing."

A positive light

Scott said pop culture can shed a tainted view on hip-hop culture. She hopes this year's summit will clear the negative stereotypes of the culture from some people's minds and remind people how important the culture is.

"Last year, SGA President R.B. Walker came and told me he thought the summit was going to be like some of the hip-hop he'd seen on television," Scott said.

"He told me that what he saw changed his views on the culture. We hope that can happen to more people

that attend."

Lashara Barnes, fine arts director for University Programs, said one goal of the summit is to show the impact hip-hop has had on the University.

"The hip-hop culture as a whole has enhanced music and broadened the horizon of cultural

activities for people that may not listen to hip-hop," Barnes said. "I think the University has paid more attention to the effect hip-hop has on the students that go here."

Barnes said even if you don't have a previous connection with hip-hop, attending the even will impact your life.

"Just come out and experience something new," Barnes said. "It's definitely worth seeing."