By BRIGID PARKER
On Thursday, September 26, the Wright Museum of Art hosted a panel discussion titled “Centers of Freedom,” in regards to its current exhibition, “Day One DNA: 50 Years in Hip-Hop Culture.” Filing into the Richardson Auditorium, myself and other students, faculty and staff were met with dimmed lighting and vibrant hip hop music playing lightly through the speakers, creating a warm, intimate setting for conversation about to take place.
The audience was welcomed with a sincere opening address by the panel’s facilitator, Dr. Sonya Maria Johnson of the CRIS and Religious Studies departments. The event and exhibition came together with a long list of individuals, groups and departments to thank, from both on and off campus. After a brief introduction to the exhibition itself and a rundown of how the conversation would be formatted, the panelists were introduced.
Laylah Amatullah Barrayn served as the discussion’s first panelist, as well as the curator for “Day One DNA.” An experienced photographer and curator from New York City, her resume features an impressive array of publications in several prominent media outlets, including ”The New York Times” and “Vogue,” as well as a nomination for an Emmy award.
Rasul Sha’ir, second panelist and producer/contributor of “Day One DNA” is both a speaker and producer with TEDx, as well as an experienced marketing and business development professional, having worked with a number of Fortune 500 and Fortune 100 companies.
The questions for the panel focused less on its complementary exhibition and more on the broader topic of hip-hop itself and its continued legacy. Dr. Johnson first raised a compelling question about the importance of discussing hip-hop and its history in academic spaces. This brought about a rich discussion surrounding universities as a space for innovation and changing narratives, therefore being a prime place for cultural preservation. Exactly what “Day One DNA” as an exhibition strives to achieve.
Other questions posed to the two panelists approached the foundations of hip-hop as a genre. Hip-hop is based on five key elements: DJ, EmCee, Dance, visuals, and knowledge. Knowledge became an especially prominent element of the conversation, as this is what makes hip-hop so culturally important. At its foundation, the genre focuses on raw elements of the human experience, born out of endurance through tension and struggle . In this way, hip-hop music keeps us connected to the past and permeates the legacies of those who trailblazed the genre.
The discussion served as an impactful reminder of the role hip-hop continues to play in pop culture, and the importance of honoring those that came before. To see this legacy manifested in a tangible form, be sure to visit “Day One DNA: 50 Years in Hip-Hop Culture” in the Wright Museum and Gallery Abba in downtown Beloit. The exhibit displays items from the private collections of Ice T and DJ Afrika Islam, two of the earliest pioneers of the genre, showing and celebrating the evolution of the genre and its legacy. The exhibit will run through November 16, 2024.
Featured Image Credit: Beloit College
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