Hip Hop Black Scientists & Inventors

For some Hip Hop is all about suggestive lyrics, blinged up rappers and explicit videos. But for others, Hip Hop is a movement which has elements which celebrate Black culture and pay homage to individuals from the past who have paved the way as inventors and pioneers.

So what is the relationship between Hip Hop and Black Inventors? Michael Williams, who co-authored the Black Scientists & Inventors series, is set to host an evening exploring this theme, looking at the five elements which make up Hip Hop cultures and their relationship with inventions and inventors.

Williams believes that when it comes to music, Black people have always been pioneers, trailblazers, creators and inventors. He charts the journey from Africa, a place where it is said many of the world's music originates from, to America in the present day where the popular genres are influencing most of the world.

Williams will also look at how Black music has influenced and has helped others cash in on the elements which make it popular, citing the example of Rock and Roll, whose origins began in the black churches then moved from the churches in the form of rhythm and blues and popularised by the likes Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jackie Wilson and Fats Dominoes but the people who are often associated with it's creation are Bill Haley, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis and of course Elvis Presley.

Williams argues that though others have cashed in on Black music, it is the Black community who continue to invent and reinvent new forms and sounds, thus setting the trends which others follow.

In the late 60s Clive Campbell aka DJ Kool Herc from Kingston Jamaica now living in the South Bronx, USA introduces a new style of music much of it influenced by reggae which is another black invention. Later, Joseph Saddler aka Grandmaster Flash from Barbados also now living in New York adds to Herc's creation and finally Kevin Donovan aka Afrika Bambaataa along with Grandmaster Theodore further innovates this new form of music.

Afrika Bambaataa later defined it and named it Hip Hop. He also defined it's political stance and created the Zulu Nation and defines Knowledge as it's 5th element which binds Hip Hop Culture together.

Hip Hop Black Scientists & Inventors event takes place on Wednesday 12th October 6:30pm-8:30pm at Balham Library, 16 Ramsden Road, London SW12 8QY.

To book visit http://bispublications2.eventbrite.com/