Hip-Hop Meets Classical Music Education

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Hey everyone! Welcome back to "The Sound Post," where we dig into all things music education. I'm Marc Thompson, your friendly neighborhood music nerd, and I'm here with the ever-brilliant Michelle Renee. Michelle, how's it going?

Michelle Renee

Hey Marc! I'm fantastic! Ready to dive into some seriously cool stuff today.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Absolutely! So, we're talking about hip-hop and classical violin. I mean, come on, who would've thought? It sounds like a musical mashup straight out of a fever dream, right?

Michelle Renee

(Laughs) Totally! But honestly, it's blowing my mind. Like, imagine telling Mozart he'd be getting remixed with Kendrick Lamar.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Right?! It’s like, picture this: you're jamming to some Bach, and then BAM! You drop a sick beat underneath it. It's like turning your violin into a legit beat machine!

Michelle Renee

Exactly! And it's not just some crazy idea. There's real research backing this up. Remember Kruse's work from 2016? He found that students get way more into practicing when you throw in familiar hip-hop rhythms. They're actually .

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

No kidding! And it makes sense. It's like, finally, someone's speaking their musical language. It's not just scales and etudes, you know? It’s real, it’s relevant.

Michelle Renee

Totally! It's culturally responsive, like you said. It's bridging those gaps. And Shaw's 2021 research? That's where it gets really interesting. He found that those hip-hop rhythms actually sharpen rhythmic accuracy. Like, it's not just fun, it’s technically solid.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Seriously? So, we're talking better timing, better bow control, all from vibing to some hip-hop beats? That’s wild!

Michelle Renee

Absolutely! And think about the improv side of it. All that freestyling and beat matching? It lets students experiment. They can take their violins and just… go for it!

Marcus "Marc" Thompson

Yeah! Forget the sheet music for a sec, just pure expression! It’s like, unleashing their inner musical superhero.

Michelle Renee

Exactly! It opens up a whole new world of learning. You’re still teaching technique, but you’re giving them the space to find their own voice.

Marcus "Marc" Thompson

And then there’s the genre mixing! Creating these crazy hybrid pieces, cross-genre arrangements. I mean, the possibilities are endless!

Michelle Renee

Seriously! Imagine the collaborations! The classrooms become these dynamic, creative hubs. Students aren’t just passive learners, they’re shaping the music!

Marcus "Marc" Thompson

It's next-level stuff, Michelle. You're not just teaching notes, you're connecting with where these kids are at. You’re meeting them in their own musical world.

Michelle Renee

Marc, it’s so true—you’re connecting with where these kids are at, and what’s really compelling is how hip-hop pedagogy extends beyond music. Akom, back in 2009, called it 'liberatory praxis.' It's not just about teaching notes and rhythms, but fostering critical thinking, social justice, and cultural expression. It all starts with centering students’ lived experiences as the foundation for learning.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Whoa, that's deep. So, we're not just talking tunes here—it’s like, the whole mindset shift. It’s saying to students, “Your story, your culture, your voice, that’s valid, and we can actually use that to learn.”

Michelle Renee

Exactly! And research shows it works. Adjapong and Emdin, for instance, found that when hip-hop was integrated into, say, science classrooms, students were more engaged. They participated more, retained concepts better, and—

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Whoa, wait. Science? Like, they’re using rap to talk about, I dunno, photosynthesis or something? That’s wild.

Michelle Renee

(Laughs) It is, but it makes sense. Hip-hop connects academic content to what students already know. It creates a bridge, a way for them to see the relevance of the material to their own lives. And the same principles apply in music education—

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Totally! And you know what that does, right? It hooks them. Once they feel like it’s theirs, like the lesson is actually about them, they’re all in. You can’t fake that kind of engagement.

Michelle Renee

Exactly, Marc. And it’s not just engagement—it’s empowering. You’re giving them tools not just to learn music or history or science, but to question the world around them. To think critically about society, about their agency within it.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

So it’s like, they’re learning the violin, yeah, but at the same time, they’re learning to think bigger. To see music as more than just notes. It’s a tool, almost like... like a platform, you know?

Michelle Renee

Absolutely. There are case studies where teachers have incorporated hip-hop into lesson plans by analyzing lyrics for social and political themes. And it resonates, Marc. Students see the artistry in how words, rhythm, and metaphor are used to tackle real-world issues.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Man, that connection’s gotta stick. You’re not just teaching them how to play or listen—you’re showing them how music shapes culture, society, everything. That’s crazy meaningful.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

You know, Michelle, everything we just talked about—the way hip-hop connects students’ lives to learning—totally resonates with me. But let’s not ignore the elephant in the room here. Not everyone’s sold on this idea, right? Some people think it dilutes traditional methods or, I dunno, makes it feel too casual. What do you say to that?

Michelle Renee

That’s a valid concern, Marc, but the research tells a very different story. Davis, in 2020, actually found that students in these programs achieve the same technical proficiency as those in traditional training. On top of that, they stay engaged longer, which is huge.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Okay, so you’re saying they’re not just learning—

Michelle Renee

They’re thriving.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Thaaaat's what I’m talking about!

Michelle Renee

But it’s not without its challenges. For one, teachers really need cultural competency. You can’t just throw a Tupac beat behind a violin and call it a day. It’s about understanding the roots of the music, its cultural significance, and translating that in a way that respects both hip-hop and classical traditions.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Totally. You gotta live it to give it, right?

Michelle Renee

Exactly, and that’s where institutional support becomes critical. Schools need to invest in resources and training so teachers are equipped to approach this thoughtfully. Without that, you risk losing the rigor—

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Or the relevance.

Michelle Renee

Right. And the beauty of this approach lies in the balance. You’re preserving the technical skills while connecting to students’ cultural identities. When done well, it becomes a celebration of diversity in its truest form.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Man, that’s powerful. Think about what this means for those kids, sitting in those classes, seeing their culture not just acknowledged but embraced. That’s gotta change how they see themselves—

Michelle Renee

It does. It gives them a sense of belonging and pride. And when students feel seen and valued? That’s when you get the best out of them.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

So, Michelle, where do we go from here? Like, big picture—how do we take this to the next level?

Michelle Renee

It starts with innovation. Teachers, researchers, and communities need to come together to create programs that balance technique with cultural relevance. It’s about continuing the conversation, being open to new ideas, and—most importantly—listening to the students themselves.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Well, I gotta say, Michelle, this whole conversation’s been inspiring. Music education—it’s not just notes on a page anymore. It’s life-changing.

Michelle Renee

Absolutely, Marc. Music has the power to unite, to transform, and to inspire. And I think we’ve only just scratched the surface of what’s possible.

Marcus 'Marc' Thompson

Alright, folks, that’s all we’ve got for today. Keep making music, keep breaking barriers. Until next time!

Michelle Renee

On that note, we’ll see you next time. Thanks for listening to The Sound Post.