Six Weeks Project: The Roots of Hip Hop

Students will work in groups to create a research project.

Topics may include:

1) Various artist discussed this six weeks: Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Robert Johnson, Les Paul, BB King, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Laverne Baker, Ahmet Ertegun, Elvis Presley, Johnnie Cash, john Lee Hooker, Grand Master Flash, The Jordanaires, Sam Cook, Little Richard, The Southern Tones

2) How did the electric guitar transform Blues music from the 1940s forward?

3) How did Bo Didley help form the roots of hip hop? Discuss his use of repeated rhythms, lyrics that were about himself, and very few chords.

4) How did Gospel music influence R and B and hip hop? Discuss how artistis changed from gospel to pop. Explain how gospel samples are used today.

Students will work in small groups.

The reports must include:

One page of writing,

A visual,

And at least one list of lyrics by the artist.