Bling, Booty & Bullets Hip Hop Panel Discussion, Feb. 18

UCLA’s Hip Hop Congress presents an intellectually stimulating panel discussion that explores the materialistic, misogynistic, and violent images portrayed in hip hop music videos. A celebrity hip hop-affiliated panel will be present to contribute their opinions on these important social issues.

In an effort to educate the UCLA and greater Los Angeles community on issues pertaining to the representation of women, African Americans, and the greater hip hop culture, Hip Hop Congress will host a panel discussion that thoroughly examines the underlying social messages embedded within hip hop music videos. Many are aware of the stereotypes that are perpetuated in these videos but few are actually willing to deliberate and converse about them.

Striving to promote edutainment (education + entertainment), the discussion will be formatted to watch different clips and compilation-footage of hip hop music videos throughout history and then spark a discourse about the social, cultural, and political undertones embedded within the videos.

The goal by the end of this powerful discourse is to grant all participants and audience members the opportunity to reach a higher truth and understanding in regard to the portrayal of women, African Americans, and the greater hip hop culture through the visuals that hip hop music videos lend us. Following each video segment will be an in-depth conversation which tackles the pertinent issues and emotions that are evoked from the images seen in each set of video footage. Ultimately, the discussion hopes to make UCLA students and the rest of the L.A. community aware that the projected images they see in these entertaining videos may have social, cultural, and racial implications. The discussion, led by a revered professor, will feature five celebrity panelists who can contribute their distinct views about women, African Americans, and the greater hip hop culture as portrayed through the medium of hip hop music videos.

Panel Moderator: Cheryl Keyes – Author, Musician, Activist, and Professor in UCLA’s Department of Ethnomusicology

Panelists:

Devi Dev – 93.5 KDAY radio personality, special event host, and Director of Music for KDAY

Melyssa Ford – famous model and actress (got her start in popular hip hop music videos)

Julien “Director X” Lutz – Highly Revered music video director who has directed singles for Sean Paul, Common, R.Kelly, The Game, Ludacris, Kanye West, and many more hip hop/rap recording artists (formerly known as “Little X”)

DJ Tony Touch – well-respected hip hop DJ and producer, and heavy affiliate of the world-famous “true school” movement that is the Rock Steady Crew

Nipsey Hussle – Up and coming All.$.In.No.$.Out! Records hip hop/rap recording artist & heavy player in the West Coast rap resurgence.

AND many more very special guests will be in attendance!

This event will be informative, heavy, and fun. Missing this is not recommended!