Academy of Hip Hop
The Riekes Center Academy of Hip Hop program offers developmental and specialized
courses in hip hop emceeing. Rap is the elemental art of hip hop culture
that incorporates functional skills through music, writing, language, communication,
improvisation, and public debate.
Emcee Program
Tues & Thurs, 4:00 - 6:00 pm
Scholarships available
Beat Production Class
Mon & Wed 4:00 - 5:00 pm
Scholarships available
Sign up for both classes & receive $25 off the monthly tuition
For more info, contact Rahman Jamaal;
(650) 298-3448 or rahman@riekes.org
Hip Hop Workshops
I. Social History of Hip-Hop Culture in America
Academic analysis of the various elements and movements
within Hip-hop culture, including major figures & pioneers,
classic recordings, as well as a social and historical context
covering its development through the 1970s into the 21st
century. Offered in a 4-part lecture series with special guest
speakers.
II. Improvisational Technique & Rhyme Structure
Teaches freestyle technique through beginning, intermediate, and advanced
exercises focusing on breath control, vocal rhythm,
flow technique, topical subject matter, vocabulary development,
rhyme structure, and battle strategy.
III. Hip-Hop Songwriting
Students develop personal works or start from
scratch. Creative writing classes help give a cognitive
understanding of song composition, verse structure, hook
development, effective use of language, and subject matter.
IV. Hip-Hop Production and Recording
Students learn how to compose
digital beats on the Yamaha Motif 6
and use studio time to record their
songs using ProTools software. Every
student comes away with a tangible
rap recording on CD.
V. Basic Music Law
This four-class lecture series covers the
basics of copyright law, publishing, artist
management, marketing & promotion,
distribution, touring, and recording contracts,
giving a solid background of music industry
knowledge to set the artist's career in motion.
