we BELIEVE hip-hop IS A POWERFUL ART FORM
FOR positive self-expression
Hip-hop was birthed in the South Bronx, amidst a fusion of cultures, where a voice rose by an oppressed people who organized the community together for block parties as an alternative to gang violence and drugs, using creativity to express themselves.
We intend to carry on the original intention of hip-hop and offer monthly community gatherings & ongoing free educational programs, where youth in Portland can develop their skills with a positive and empowering form of self-expression. They will also be developing discipline and goal-setting to prepare them for the life ahead of them.
The term "cypher" was coined in New York City in the 70s, by The 5-Percent Nation, with the emergence of hip-hop culture, based on the number 0, which represents "completion" in supreme mathematics.
We intend to carry on the original intention of hip-hop and offer monthly community gatherings & ongoing free educational programs, where youth in Portland can develop their skills with a positive and empowering form of self-expression. They will also be developing discipline and goal-setting to prepare them for the life ahead of them.
The term "cypher" was coined in New York City in the 70s, by The 5-Percent Nation, with the emergence of hip-hop culture, based on the number 0, which represents "completion" in supreme mathematics.
Many underrepresented youth in our community are naturally attracted to hip-hop music and we believe this is because the culture encourages a unique, original, direct, raw, unfiltered, authentic and empowering form of self-expression. Just like anything it can be used for positive or negative.
Our writing workshops encourage youth to reflect on their lives and draw out the “gems” from within themselves. Renowned storyteller, author and youth mentor, Michael Meade says, “next to the greatest wound is the greatest gift.” By going into the process of writing lyrics and sharing within a supportive environment, we believe in the potential to initiate healing and transforming negative energy from past experiences.
We also believe that being together in a circle based on equality and respect is a natural experience of all tribal cultures, of which all people come from. And by gathering in such a way it is healthy and inspiring experience.
Our writing workshops encourage youth to reflect on their lives and draw out the “gems” from within themselves. Renowned storyteller, author and youth mentor, Michael Meade says, “next to the greatest wound is the greatest gift.” By going into the process of writing lyrics and sharing within a supportive environment, we believe in the potential to initiate healing and transforming negative energy from past experiences.
We also believe that being together in a circle based on equality and respect is a natural experience of all tribal cultures, of which all people come from. And by gathering in such a way it is healthy and inspiring experience.
The 5 elements of hip-hop culture:
- Emceeing : poetry, song writing, structuring lyrics, freestyling, stage presence, delivery
- DJ’ing / Rhythm: beat production, turntableism, cultural rhythm, sampling, mixing
- Street Art: painting, drawing, mural planning, stenciling, photography, graphic design
- Dance: B-girl, B-boy, popping & locking, traditional, krump
- Knowledge (the 5th element of hip-hop): knowledge of self, roots of hip-hop culture, consciousness, overstanding
