"Hip hop and you don't stop."
This week, LMNTal and Young Black Entrepreneurs are co-hosting the University's first Hip Hop Week, which features a variety of events around Grounds.
Brian Kayser, second-year College student and the president of LMNTal, said Hip Hop Week is a part of the organization's efforts to promote awareness of hip hop culture on Grounds. Other activities include a show on Whoo-TV and a newsletter.
"Anything we can do related to hip hop," he said.
Kaiser said he hopes the scheduled events will help promote positive aspects of hip hop by combating negative stereotypes. He said he wants students to look beyond rap music itself.
"This is a serious element in society and it plays a role in how people think and act," he said.
Ciandress Jackson, fourth-year College student and YBE president, said that her organization primarily helped with the logistical and organizational aspects of Hip Hop Week, an experience she thinks relates directly to their mission.
"I tend to believe that hip hop is a type of entrepreneurship," Jackson said.
Furthermore, Jackson said she and many other members of YBE primarily are interested in entrepreneurship within the music industry, making this week's events even more relevant for them.
The week's first event, "106 and Rotunda," which took place last night, included a forum with Chuck Wilson. Wilson graduated from the University undergraduate, business school and Law school and moved on to found his own music label, Babygrande Records, among other accomplishments.
Tonight will feature Bakari Kitwana, a former editor for the Source Magazine, at 7 p.m. in Rouss 202. Kitwana is one of the top hip hop scholars today, according to Kayser.
"Krush Groove," a movie about the beginnings of hip hop, will be shown in the Gooch-Dillard Lounge at 8 p.m. tomorrow.
Thursday's event, a discussion entitled "Is Hip Hop Destroying Our Youth?" will take place at 8 p.m. in the W.E.B. DuBois Center.
Finally, Friday's tentatively scheduled event is a showcase featuring DJ RushHour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Ampitheater.
Kayser and Jackson hope the events of this week serve to educate the University community.
"The goal is to expose U.Va. to hip hop, to bring the hip hop community together and validate hip hop as an intellectual field as well as a pastime," Jackson said.
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