As part of Black History Month, kids in Milwaukee are learning about the history of hip-hop and how they can still be involved in the culture if they want. 

A group of high school kids met inside Villard Square public library on Milwaukee’s north side earlier this week.

Fidel Verdin handed out papers and pencils so they could take notes. The kids have their heads down, they're a little quiet, but they're engaged as Verdin gives a presentation on the history of hip-hop — a form of music and dance that he says started in the U.S. in 1973.

Verdin tells them that one of the people considered a founding father of hip-hop, DJ Kool Herc from the Bronx, stopped in Milwaukee last year. He talks about the birth of DJ battles – something that started with hip-hop and has become a staple in a variety of settings.

"What some people refer to as sound clashes between DJs that would, you know, spend a lot of time invested in building up a sound set to take outside. So not in a closed environment, but be able to load your speakers and set up shop in a park and just really create a whole scene and create a whole atmosphere. And a lot of that was said to have come via Kool Herc, and his background in Jamaica," Verdin says.

But one student disputes that DJ Kool Herc is one of hip-hop's founding fathers and that hip-hop didn't start in 1973. She says her father is DJ Scooter B and has deep roots in the culture. She also says her father knew Kool Herc.

Student: So, he was the first person that do a hip-hop party? I don't I don't agree with that. Verdin: No, no problem is a lot of people that don't agree with S: Because he's been out before 1973. V: Why you think that though? S: He probably thought of a party and it was probably big and everybody came because like that was that was new to the society or something like that. V: You know what’s so awesome about what she’s saying. I said he came from where, from Jamaica, Jamaica, listen up and listen, good. He came to Jamaica and what did he bring with him from Jamaica, you saying something so important, what he did was he brought his sound system with him.
Verdin says that moment brought home his mission – that black history is now history.

"And these are not, you know, some of our ancestors or historical figures that a lot of times we associate our culture in our history with just the past. But it's also very much a present conversation," says Verdin.

Verdin explains that people get advanced degrees in hip-hop, even though hip-hop culture stems from an oral tradition passed down from before African Americans were enslaved.

He presses to the students about pursing what is now a billion dollar industry that originally was a part of African American’s survival. If they have the interest, why shouldn't they?

"The drum was actually used as a way to communicate amongst people that did not speak the same language. The drum was also basically considered a weapon. If you got caught with a drum, it was really a problem," Verdin says.

The connection works. The students listen intently. They’re immersed when Verdin shows a clip about break dancing lessons and other activities/classes they could take through True Skool, where he works. Its mission is to use creative arts and hip-hop culture to “engage, educate and empower youth and communities.”

The conversation sparks additional discussion among the kids about practices during the time of slavery and the founding of Black History Month.

Verdin is grateful for the students’ engagement.

"Thank you. You guys are you all this quiet at school every day. Much respect cuz I'm saying I really agree. I really appreciate your attention and participation. I super appreciate it," Verdin says.

At least one girl jotted down that True Skool offers break dancing lessons on Tuesday nights.

WUWM | By Olivia Richardson
Published February 14, 2020
https://www.wuwm.com/arts-culture/2020-02-14/hip-hop-teaches-milwaukee-kids-that-black-history-isnt-just-in-the-past

Hip-Hop Teaches Milwaukee Kids That Black History Isn't Just In The Past

VIVA FIDEL sits chops it up with DJ Bizzon & DJ JankOne ( Those Hip Hop Guys) to talk about THE LISTENING PROJECT. Its much more than just a new album. LISTEN & LEARN more about VivaFIdel's new release & the mission behind it! PURCHASE THE LISTENING PROJECT http://music.vivafidel.info

THE LISTENING PROJECT on wmse.org with "Those Hip Hop Guys"

This segment is from an educational summit hosted by Alverno College in Wisconsin 4/21
vivafidel was invited as an arts educator and cultural enthusiast during this brief segment Fidel explains some of the origins and stories of folklore within hip-hop culture as well as connects the fundamental five elements in hip-hop with leadership qualities and skills transferable to success ,health ,wealth and knowledge of self - Fidel gives credits and acknowledges the pioneers and forefathers of Hip Hop in this fun and energetics presentation that was 2hrs given virtually. 

Want more?

Hip Hop Culture in Education History & Future

"MAKE ME STRONGER" FROM CONTROLLED DEMO SOUNDTRACK
  PROD. BY SOLITAIRE / INSOMNIAC MUSIC
  

MAKE ME STRONGER

VIVA FIDEL/DJ STRETCH VOL 4 -SHARE IT! -  1. Dj STRETCH INTRO 2. TAKE U THERE 3. AFTER THE ELECTION 4. HU$TLE ON 09 RMX 5. PARTY WIT NO B.S RMX 6. DEEP THOUGHTS QUICK 7. THEY ALREADY KNOW 8. THE CODE 9. LAPTOP HIPHOP 10. BUILD NOT BATTLE 11. DROP A JEWEL 12. GET DOWN 13. HIP HOP SAVED ME 14. G FILE OUTRO
  

VIVAFIDEL VOL 4 DJ STRETCH

Very special release from 
music.vivafidel.info on Earth! 
"Be Creative" captures a super charged, right at home, in the pocket pitching positive energy verse over a G Sound Musik original. Loaded smokin' lines that transition into some poetic spoken words just in time to introduce the then 3yr old daughter.... 

Jay G sent this beat unannounced one day....and the rest is our story...
BE CREATIVE (lyrics)

Yeah….
AS SOON AS I HEARD THIS BEAT………
I immediately started my rituals
no need to conform to ya standards
I was on my morning norm splashing some paint on the canvass
before I get dressed I make something fresh
create my own blessings workin smart w endless ammo
my energy channeled, angelic in ya face
as soon as I awake from space the chase begins
original thoughts, actual manifestations
discipline like listening to the forces of nature
voices of creators deciphering the magic
that's my background soundscape
as i'm maxin round my place
or should I say palace, I only bring balance
my family call me Fever , a bonafide Libra
gone on a road trip
plottin the next impact
organize the leaders to liberate the people
transmit facts in raps to trap you in possibilities
unified rebellion is our responsibility
descendants of illuminated giants
my alliance with scientists is like the black power fist;
strength in numbers, look around the underground
middle finger to the feds, take a piss on ya death beds
buck the police and everybody that’s down with’em
(I had to throw that in there) the sound of my ism
surround me with wisdom, well rounded women
we livin to be giving so I multiply the fruits of my labor 
a creator with a master plan
so I share it with my neighbors and build it with my bare hands
yeah!
From my mind comes the divine design; Uh! On Earth!
reference my greatness , hieroglyphics in the sky
no matter what your soundwave of survival is
just give the utmost upliftment from wherever you live
oh...it’s really on out here! 
Bam!
Crystalized...
let us meditate together
operate...
let us harmonize
can you feel the the pressure in the atmosphere?
and the fire sittin in the throne of my soul
war is being instigated and evolved
while electric desire and magnetic feelings collide to ascend
and start a whole new sequence
it’s a process like this
the unbecoming and
and getting off of that reactionary thought train
oh you’ve been trained,you’ve been programmed,
now BE CREATIVE!

Creators,Creators like JG, GSound, Viva Fidel….
Kali Maa take us out of here….



BE CREATIVE

Gat Turner & Viva Fidel…In Killwaukee.. introduction to their upcoming joint mixtape release
FREE DOWNLOAD! These 2 emcees build & destroy over the classic Jay Z inst. 'Where im from" revealing a different side of the city they call home...some call it Milwaukee & to some it's better known as 'KILLwaukee' - LISTEN TO THE LYRICS!

follow twitter links: @gatturner & @vivafidel

KILLwaukee - Gat Turner & VivaFidel

SOULCLAP VIVAFIDEL PROD BY SUICIDE MUSIK

Told You Once 
Written & performed By Viva Fidel

This that rare form enormous glorious jumpoff
 amongst all these suffering suckas Im sasquatch with a live band my legendary footprint expand - spotted in the Good Land seeking the culture hustlers who elevating the elements,  keeping the revolution relevant? rethinking education, stimulate the ghetto economy, these bars write they self - monetized intellectual property - teach me anything to alleviate the poverty.
Chorus
If I told you once then I told you twice
Speaking for my whole side, my city thinking small, thinking it's small...
I think the whole globe shrinking linking up with the superstars and radiant minds, she said she loves to see me shine and all she do is reflect, all I do is connect way past your limitations, conglomerate is fortunate our Kharma is amazing I'm clamining it , this is news you can use no substance abuse except these drum pattern beating, dont we don't support domestic violence dont deny them patterns either! be brave get a blade a broke record cant be played, let this be like pullin the like out ya hand grenade, light a fuse, see the light, you gotta choose, this experience is so serious...

Switch the entire frequency completely, think deeper, take out the typical, tune out and refuse to bothered by that which cannot help you grow, you never know and let's never know.... what to expect, let's just go, let's just flow!

"Told You Once " from Room to Grow  - Viva Fidel Latest Studio Release Available on all digital streaming outlets.

Music selected from the Deep Thought Productions “Smokestromental”
Mastered & Recorded By Katanga Tunes

Viva Fidel Room to Grow 
Tracklist:
Change the Frequency
Gettin It
Told You Once
Everybody & Anybody
Focused Silence
2019
@vivafidel

Told You Once (clean) Viva Fidel

Vivafidel was Mia El's special guest on a very informative talk show, peep. It gets deep.
The Race in the New Age Teleseries 
(The Way to Black Wealth, Abundance, Advancement  and Wholeness in a New Era.)

The Listening Project coming soon!
http://www.vivafidel.info

http://www.raceinthenewage.com

Race In New Age Interview with Viva Fidel pt. 1

laptop hip hop - prod. by N.E.S. & VIVAFIDEL from ANTI-EXCLUSIVE

Laptop hiphop

More than an Artist, Fidel affectionately uses HIPHOP as a vehicle internationally for political and social change through education, multi media and partnership projects.
contact:
Ucanemailfidel@gmail.com

vivafidel

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