The Evolution of Hip-Hop

DJ Kool Herc in 1973

Break Dancing in the 1980s

   Hip-Hop? What is it? Hip-Hop, is the form of music that uses expression,which was originated in the Black community during the 1970s in New York City. Hip-Hop is not only rap music but, it is also a culture; from it's fashion, art, technology, and urban lifestyle. DJ Kool Herc, is known for being the founding father of Hip-Hop because he was one of the first to mix different music together. Dj Kool Herc was also the first one to add voices to music track which is now called "rapping". Afrika Bambaata, is credited for developing the four elements of Hip-Hop; DJing, "Breaking" or break dancing, Graffiti, and MCing in 1982.
Birthplace of Hip-Hop

  Since 1982, there are many artists who has helped change the face of Hip-Hop. Beginning with Run-D.M.C, who decided to team up with Aerosmith to be the first Hip-Hop group to mix Rap with Rock and Roll. Today, it is no surprise to hear this combination of music. Lil Wayne, was a member of "Hot Boyz" in 1999, on his 2010 solo studio album "Rebirth" which was filled with Rap mixed with Rock and Roll.
What makes "Walk This Way" special to Hip-Hop?

   Rappers are often called lyricist, poets, or even storytellers based upon their ability to create metaphors to construct a picture by using words. Rappers, use this skill as an advantage to express their feelings and thoughts. Grandmaster Flash used the concept of storytelling on his 1983 single "The Message" which focused more on poverty and the ghetto. Many artists used this same method which has helped the success of their career like Nas, Lauyrn Hill, Rakim,Tupac, Big Daddy Kane, Slick Rick, Queen Latifah, Andre 3000, MC Lyte, and The Notorious B.I.G.
 Watch Jay-Z s perspective on Rap and Poetry

Past and Present Hip-Hop Legends

President Obama laughing with Beyonce 
and Jay-Z

   Hip-Hop has also been used to address controversial issues like police brutality in South Central L.A. and Trayvon Martin's case. N.W.A was the first gangsta rap group to go mainstream. N.W.A's 1988 "Straight Outta Compton" album allowed listener's to hear their feelings about police brutality. Rapper Plies created a song titled "We Are Trayvon Martin" to express his feelings about verdict of George Zimmerman.
 N.W.A and Police Brutality 
 Plies "We Are Trayvon Martin"
 
   
   Over the years, Hip-Hop has help changed the world by encouraging voters to go vote in the 2008 United States Presidential Election of Barack Obama. The election was so significant because there was a Black candidate.  It was also the first time that Rap artists publicly express their political views. There were numerous Hip-Hop artists such as Jay-Z, Nas , LL Cool J, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, and many more who used their voice to prove that they were very active in this election. All of them except for LL Cool J released songs to display their support for Barack Obama.
Hip-Hop Artists and Barack Obama


To view a slideshow of some Hip-Hop artists who has changed the face of Hip-Hop music click here 

 If you would like to watch a brief video about the Evolution of Hip-Hop click here 

Winthrop's Writing Center

Winthrop University's Writing Center plays a very important part in students writing who are searching for tips on becoming a better writer. The Writing Center is a support office, that provides a free writing service session to all students, staff, administrators and faculty. The Writing Center has been apart of Winthrop's community since 1776 according to the Writing Center's advisor, Dr. Jane B. Smith.  The Writing Center is here to help students improve their writing style, grammar, punctuation, organization, thesis statements, conclusions and many other areas. However, the Writing Center does not promise error free papers.

There are tutors who are available to give students great advice about making their papers better. Tutors have to be graduate students or students who have taken Writing 500 and pass with an A or B.Winthrop students are respectful and really interested in the advice. Damon Dean, a freshman at Winthrop, claim's that "The Writing Center has help him understand the difference between writing in high school and writing in college". 

If you have more questions, please visit Winthrop's Writing Center official website.

If you would like a virtual tour and a brief video click here!

Have you ever thought about Tarzan not having a beard?

"I'm not a fan of facial hair.."

  While growing up, I remember watching many Disney movies from "The Beauty and the Beast" to "Tarzan". As I searched the web for interesting questions, I stumbled across " Why doesn't Tarzan have a beard ?." After reading this question, I asked myself, " Why didn't he have a beard ?." Since he lived in the African jungle will it not make sense that he has one? There weren't any tools that would allow to shave his beard. I believed he should have had some facial hair, at least a mustache if not a beard, but I'm not the artist behind Tarzan's character. Recently, I had the opportunity to asked some Winthrop student's this very same question and I received some interesting responses.

   

"Tarzan is too hot to have a beard"

To see what some Winthrop student's think the reason why Tarzan doesn't have a beard  click here

Byrnes Auditorium at Winthrop University!

Front View

As soon as visitors, tourist, and future students turn into Winthrop's main entrance there's this building with tall pillars, numerous doors,two tall trees,and in the spring beautiful flowers behind Winthrop University's sign. On one special college visit, I had the slightest idea of what this building was and what it is used for. After some research I realized that Byrnes is more than just a ordinary auditorium. It provides numerous services to Winthrop and its community. I believed it was just like any other auditorium but, after talking to a Winthrop employee, I discovered that Byrnes is the oldest auditorium in Rock Hill, South Carolina. It was established in 1939 and it is named after a former South Carolina governor and Secretary of State James F. Byrnes. I would have never guess that this building is such a historic place, and it holds so much value. This auditorium is so special to Winthrop to host it's yearly Convocation. As I look more in to Byrnes, I discovered that there all different types of musical,social,and cultural events going on inside of the facility.

Inside Auditorium

For more Information about Byrnes Auditorum click here! 

Enjoying a unusual snow day in front of Byrnes

Boots

Wearing boots is a very common fashion trend among women and men during the winter. Women tend to wear boots more than men. Whenever it is freezing outside, look down for boots on females everywhere. There are brown, black, short, tall, laced, combat, buckled, cowgirl, UGG, and riding boots. Wearing boots is a repeating fashion trend throughout the world.  Some people are picky to the type of boots that they wear. The question asked to females "What type of boots do they prefer?"
    Ebony Murphy, 2015
"Tall boots if they are brown and short boots if they are black. I have no specific brand of boots."      

Nikolette Miller, 2015
"I like to wear combat boots to work and around school Cowgirl boots of thigh high (tall) boots."

Rachele, 2017 and Kaitlin, 2015
"Prefers tall brown boots as long as they are cute and comfortable"

UGGs

Tory Burch

Combat