R.A.P Rhythm and Poetry: Wayne Au on Using Hip-Hop in the Language Arts Classroom

Standard English and its enforcement as the only correct or proper way to speak English, can serve to linguistically handcuff students. Using hip-hop in the classroom challenges the notion that Standard English is the only legitimate form of English, and supplants it with the idea that the language spoken at home, with friends, or even on the streets is a valid, viable form of communication. Because rap music uses English in particular ways, with its own adaptations and vocabulary, it reflects a greater sense of language that is noninstitutional, nonstandard, and nontraditional (Au 287).

In his article, "And Ya Don't Stop," American research educator and former DJ Wayne Au argues that, when incorporated correctly, hip-hop can be a valuable tool for student engagement in language arts and social studies classes. Initially published in 1995, Au wrote this article intending to inspire educators to use the ideas presented as a guide for implementing hip-hop pedagogy, thereby fostering a more culturally relevant approach to teaching and learning. Although Au advocated for the adaptation of hip-hop music into the classroom environment, he stresses the importance of straying away from a surface-level approach to implementation rooted in culturally insensitive stereotypes. Au takes the time to break down the history of hip-hop and the terms commonly associated with it, providing the reader with a well-rounded understanding of hip-hop's significance and cultural relevance. For Au, who is an avid fan and participant in the hip-hop music genre, "[t]he beauty of hip-hop as a culture lies in its ability to absorb anything in its path, take what it can use, and make it into something new." Au argues that hip-hop, specifically the subgenre of rap, serves as a vital channel for communication among Black and marginalized populations in the United States. Hip-hop and rap are lenses through which political engagement and societal critique can occur.

Within the classroom context, Au argues that hip-hop provides students with an opportunity to see themselves, their experiences, interests, and language represented in a way that is meaningful to them. It also provides students with an opportunity to critically engage with the music they consume and analyze the literary devices, techniques, storytelling, and messages at play. Having grown up listening to hip-hop music as an African American woman and working as a middle school ELA teacher, this article really inspired me to find a way to incorporate music into the classroom, as a fun and engaging way for students to familiarize themselves with literary devices and make meaning of the media they consume. Many of my students are fans of hip-hop and listen to many of the mainstream artists of today, to the point where I sometimes find myself in conversation or debate over which current rap artist is truly the greatest. Finding ways to incorporate music from various genres, especially rap, can be an engaging way to foster student learning, and I plan to do so moving forward, even if it's just a few side lessons or tidbits sprinkled throughout the year.

Link to the Article: 'And Ya Don't Stop': Using Hip Hop in the Language Arts Classroom

• The article is also included in the Rethinking Schools Textbook on page 279.

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