Latin Hip Hop as a New Poetry

Program Type:

Multicultural

Age Group:

Adults, Older Adults
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Program Description

50 Years of Hip Hop

Oak Park Public Library is thrilled to be one of more than 30 organizations around the country—including libraries, museums, colleges, universities, and archives—partnering for Collections of Culture: 50 Years of Hip Hop Inside Libraries, Museums and Archives. This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Learn more at oppl.org/hip-hop-50 »

Event Details

Latin hip hop artists are advancing the poetic traditions of their countries in unique ways. Ana Tijoux from Chile was raised on protest songs and Pablo Neruda; Residente from Calle 13, Puerto Rico spits out rhymes as carefully crafted as any poet’s; Niña Dioz from Mexico reads dictionaries to find the precise words to fit her ideas and rhymes; Xiutehzcatl from Boulder, Colorado rhymes in three languages: Spanish, English and Nahuatl–an ancient indigenous language. Nevertheless, academia and poetic circles have surprisingly not embraced and celebrated these artists as poets.

This program, with video and lyric examples, will make a case for hip hop as the new poetry with a focus on Latinos in the U.S. and the Americas. The presentation, paired with slides and a rich set of musical videos, is lively, light and fun, and focused on participation, discussion, and musical enjoyment!

About Catalina Maria Johnson, Ph.D

Catalina Maria Johnson, Ph.D. is an enthusiastic individual who has been an invited speaker and panelist for programs at universities, libraries, schools for at least 15 years in relationship to language, music, cultural studies, history, Latinx Heritage Month and similar topics. She is a popular Road Scholar who has shared many amazing experiences with the people throughout Illinois.

Disclaimer(s)

Masks Encouraged

Masks for everyone age 2+ are encouraged while attending this program.