Andy Williams on the Black Oral Tradition: The The Culture, Politics and Identity of Hip-Hop pt. 1 of 2

Listening to music that speaks

by Micah Langer

After the success of his first two classes at McGill’s School of Continuing Studies, "The Diaspora of Jazz," and "Jazz and the Civil Rights Movement," acclaimed artist, activist, educator, Andy Williams, came back on the show to spread the word about his next class, called The Black Oral Tradition: The Culture, Politics, and Identity of Hip Hop. We talked to Andy about the roots of hip hop in Kingston, Jamaica and the Bronx, and how what began as a new language for the plight and passions of the oppressed became a phenomenon with incredible power the world over. Williams speaks from experience, and it’s hard not to learn something when you listen to him.

 

This interview aired on CKUT's The Tuesday Morning After, April 14th, 2015.

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