Rock The School Bells (RTSB) hosted their 15th Annual Hip Hop Conference on Friday, April 15, also known affectionately in the Bay as 415 Day. This year’s theme was created by our students - RTSB 15 HERE. HERE stands for Hip Hop’s Evolution through Resiliency and Energy.
The conference is a testimony to Tupac’s poem about roses growing from the concrete. These last two years, our students have experienced so much pain and struggle, navigating between home, work, and school. Despite these challenges, our students were able to grow from these experiences - oftentimes evolving in ways that amplified their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. Similar to Hip Hop, they found avenues to explore and elevate their sense of being and how they see themselves in the future. Hip Hop is about the remix and (r)evolution.
We were able to host over 200 students from Skyline College’s Middle College, San Francisco International High School, Peninsula High School, Brothers Empowering Brothers (College of San Mateo), Capuchino High School, Presidio Middle School, San Jose City College, and CHALK SF (Community in Harmony Advocating for Learning and Kids).
Dregs One
They attended various workshops rooted in the elements of Hip Hop facilitated by Today’s Future Sound, Zulu Gremlin, Orlando ZEPS Molina, Amir Esfahani, and Janice Sapigao. The students were greeted by a powerful welcome address by Dean Russell Waldon that paved the way for our keynote speaker and performer, Reza Dregs One Harris. Dregs One shared his experiences about how Hip Hop has allowed him to see that he can be his authentic self in every space that he enters. As a graduate from the School of Law from UC Davis, he shared his ability to serve his community while still honoring his identity as a Hip Hop artist and muralist.
The pandemic shook us like loud Hip Hop classics reverberating from speakers. Hip Hop made us feel again. It continues to remind us who we are and who we can still become. This conference was about recognizing and lifting up our students. It is a testament to the world that they are still HERE, that RTSB 15 HERE.
Next year, Hip Hop will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary. If you are interested in being involved with Rock The School Bells in 2023 and/or would like to learn more about RTSB/CIPHER, you can hit us up at info@rocktheschoolbells.com.
RECAP VIDEO
WORKSHOPS
Dino Rhyme Flow
Facilitator: Orlando "ZEPS" Molina
Workshop Description: In this workshop, students will learn about the MC/writer aspect of Hip Hop. They will break down various tools for rhyme writing such as syllables, similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, and word play. They will select a topic or theme to start writing while playing instrumentals and practicing flow. They will share their rhymes in a cypher towards the end of the session.
Writers Workshop: Getting Down on the Wall
Facilitator: Amir Esfahani
Workshop Description: Do you look up to artists like Bansky, Shepard Ferry(OBEY), or Revok MSK? Here Is your chance to get down on a wall with spray paint, markers, and wheat pasting without it being a crime!
Come give the art form of hip hop a try by practicing tags, throw-ups, and simple funk letters.
Spraypaint, markers, and wheat paste will be provided and we will have three temporary walls
set up for you to hit up.
Unlocking the Mystery of Beat Making and Music Production
Facilitators: Today's Future Sound (Dr. Elliot Gann, Elwin Williams III, Ken Laxamana)
Workshop Description: Students will learn about the history of beat making. They will engage in the following ways: 1) Billie Jean beat counting and drum programming demo, 2) Melody and harmony, 3) Sampling, and 4) Arrangement
HIP HOP 360 WORKSHOP
Facilitator: Steven Zulu Gremlin Roybal
Workshop Description: Attendees will learn about the history, culture, and evolution of Hip Hop through the elements of Hip Hop. This presentation will also have a focused attention on the history of Hip Hop in the Bay Area. It will also include an exhibit of Hip Hop artifacts he has collected over three decades.
PHOTO GALLERY
