Our intermediate students have created their own Hip Hop inspired raps about world issues that most concern them. Students now know how to create a catchy hook, how to make and layer MIDI loops, and how sampling can be used to send their message home. Hip Hop Music is an avenue for activism, and in the assembly our students shared their songs to advocate for racial equity, LGBTQ+ equity, immigration reform, combating global warming, reducing violence and war, overcoming poverty, and eliminating suicide. Listen to their work:
Ms. Hamilton's Class
There is more plastic in the ocean than fish. All of this trash is not my wish. Animals are losing their life. This world is full of strife. Gas in our air. It isn’t fair. The world is disrespected. We need to be connected.
The earth, is mad, and we, are sad. We failed the earth because of pollution. Let’s work together to find a solution. Help the world. Don’t let it be taken. The world needs you, there’s no mistakin’. Pollution is bad. The earth is sad.
The earth, is mad, and we, are sad.
Let’s work together and it will be rad
Ms. Taslaman's Class
Mr. Samaris' Class
When you go to war. Guns shooting. Bombs exploding. Trying to finish this deadly war. We light the gun, then take a run. Wishing there was no more.
When you go to war. Guns shooting.(when you go to war) Bombs exploding. (when you go to war) Frightened victims. (when you go to war) Too much mourning. (when you go to war)
Ms. Richards' Class
Let’s take a ride through suicide. This ain’t no lie. Some people die. Sadness, stress, unhappiness. People get depressed.
I am powerless. I can’t tell lies. In the darkness, I shall rise. Our hate is our demise.
I am powerless. I am scared. I am a victim who was spared.
Suicide is powerful. Suicide is wasteful. You are beautiful. Let’s not be hateful.
Mr. Skipworth's Class
Poverty is depressing. Poverty is cold. Poverty is like being all alone. Poverty is like a fire burning my heart. Everybody needs to have a fresh new start.
Poverty’s depressing. Homelessness’ exhausting. For people to survive, they can’t live outside. Poverty’s depressing. Hunger is oppressing. This life isn’t chosen. Why aren’t you heartbroken?
Poverty’s depressing. Money is frustrating. Why we have this life? Why we have this strife?
Poverty is depressing. Poverty is cold. Poverty is like being all alone. Poverty is like a fire burning my heart. Everybody needs to have a fresh new start.
Mr. Senra's Class
Pain, immigration, our demented Nation
Trump isn’t fair. He doesn’t care. He’s building a wall. We want it to fall. We at Dawes School, we know who is cool. This dude has no clue, to make us feel like poo. Nobody’s glad. Everybody’s sad. If you build a wall, hate will not fall. People are sad. People are mad. Why are you building a wall?
If you build a wall, hate will not fall. Si construyes una muralla. El odio no caerá
We dread WWIII. War takes lives, killing full of envy. We dread WWIII. Death is sad, love is rad We dread WWIII. Love is the key to end war. We dread WWIII. We wish there was no more. We dread WWIII. War takes lives. Take away the knives We dread WWIII. It’s true. We’re through. Killers, WE HATE YOU!
Mr. Green's Class
We love the earth, but it is dying. Global warming gets me crying. Garbage on the earth is like darkness on death No forests, no air, no animals, no breath
Penguins and polar bears disappear. Don’t you know, the answer is clear? Plant a tree. Ride your bike. Tell plastic bottles to take a hike! Garbage on the earth is like darkness on death No forests, no air, no animals, no breath If you are careless with your cars, we might have to live on mars. Garbage on the earth is like darkness on death No forests, no air, no animals, no breath
Ms. Kelly's Class
Black, brown, white: this is not right! Black, brown, white: we need to unite!
Racism is not okay. Please work to make it go away! It get’s me hurtin’ bad. It gets me really sad.
Racism is bad. We need to take a stand. This is not funny. This is not right - we need to stand up and fight.
People come in different shades, all unique in different ways. People say they’re afraid. Let’s make racism go away.
If you don’t see my color, you don’t see me! You don’t see what I want to be.
Black, brown, white: this is not right! Black, brown, white: we need to unite!
Ms. Miskin's Class
Strong is beautiful. We are beautiful. Beautiful is talented. We are beautiful.
Beautiful is talented. Love is like roses. Beautiful is talented. Love is like roses.
LGBTQ+ is the same as you. The hatred needs to be through.
Pansexual, gay, lesbian, trans, + We are human! We are beautiful!
It’s okay to be different. Nobody’s the same. We are all people. You are not to blame.
Strong is beautiful. We are beautiful. Beautiful is talented. We are beautiful.