Books, Beats & Bars: DJ Kool Herc

R.H.Y.M.E x The Point CDC x Bronx Arts Elementary

In February of 2022 Bronx Arts Elementary 5th grade scholars met with Thrive Collective teaching artist, Randy Mason twice a week for several weeks as part of the R.H.Y.M.E Books Beats & Bars Hip Hop songwriting program. During Black History Month students learned about DJ Kool Herc, a Jamaican American Hip Hop pioneer by reading the book “When The Beat Was Born” by  Laban Carrick Hill. Students then made the connection between lyrics and literature, story telling and songwriting by turning Kool Herc’s story based on the book into bars. Scholars created an original Hip Hop song  recorded at La Bodega Studio in the Bronx. Shout out to all of the amazing students, and to all of our incredible partners for coming together to create something so meaningful and memorable. Stay tuned! R.H.Y.M.E is coming soon to a school near you.

Credits:
The Point CDC x R.H.Y.M.E x Thrive Collective x Bronx Arts Elementary
Lead teaching artist Randy Mason
Beat by Rob Ayala
Recording done at La Bodega Studio / audio engineering by Hitz.
Music video by Eric Mason
Cover art by Rob Ayala