THE ESSENCE OF BLACK MUSIC - INTERVIEW WITH DR. EMMETT G. PRICE III

Dr. Emmett G. Price is one of the academics who have a mission – to achieve social awareness among people through seminars and lectures for everybody. Hip hop is one of his main topics for introduction in his work. His greatness is in this - although he understands that this is a long-time process, he is willing to continue with his work. These are his answers to our questions about Black music, religion and hip hop.




Hiphopmacedonia.com: In your lectures you have a topic: The Hip Hop Entry Point: Using Hip Hop to Educate. How can we use hip hop to educate young people?

Dr. Emmett G. Price III: The Hip Hop Entry Point is a concept that I developed a number of years ago while spending time in elementary, middle and secondary school classrooms working with teachers on developing strategies to meet young people where they [the young] people were. Hip Hop over the past 30 years has been a very powerful tool of engagement, yet its full power has not fully been utilized nor understood. Hip Hop can be used as a bridge to connect older generations (in this example, teachers) with younger generations (in this example, students). Hip Hop in its evolution is based on recapitulating old stuff, essentially remixing, mashing and sampling old stuff. So there is already an embedded appreciation for old stuff (history, knowledge, wisdom, understanding, etc.). When we as older folks can take all that stuff and share with young people in a non-judgmental manner we are connecting and bridging the generational divide. We can really make a difference in our collective relationships as well as help the younger generation to strive to higher heights and to achieve their goals, dreams and objectives. Hip Hop can actually be the glue to help bind folks across all boundaries together!


Hiphopmacedonia.com: Can you tell us something more about The Black Church, Hip Hop Culture and the Dilemma of the Generational Divide?

Dr. Emmett G. Price III: The Black Church, Hip Hop Culture and the Dilemma of the Generational Divide is the working title of my forthcoming book (Scarecrow Press) to be released later this year. The book is a collection of essays that address whether the Black Church should do more to engage Hip Hop Culture or not. It is also about how to move forward in bringing the Civil Rights Generation and the Hip Hop Generation together!!! The Black Church is a powerful institution in the United States. In most communities, the church is a central meeting place, source of inspiration and facilitator of conversation. With that much responsibility the Church has to be more concerned about the affairs, concerns and desires of young people. If the young people are interested, excited and fully engaged within Hip Hop Culture, then the church needs to also be within that space, or else it [the church] will die.


Hiphopmacedonia.com: How does the African slave music tradition influence today’s
African-American Music?

Dr. Emmett G. Price III: The entire existence of African Americans is influenced by the historical legacy of slavery in the United States and around the world. The slaves created music out of a functional and practical need to survive. Slave music was urgent, intentional and central to daily life. It is no mistake that all forms of African American music (blues, jazz, soul, funk, r&b, gospel, and all of the others) have retained these essential characteristics. For people who do not know the history of American slavery or the African American struggle for freedom and equality the music will sound like mere entertainment. But folks who understand the journey will hear (and feel) the power of struggle in the music. It is that power that makes the music and culture so interesting and appealing around the world.


Hiphopmacedonia.com: How the Black Church is different (in theological, social and
political aspects) from White Church? Why there is a need for Black
Church in the past, and why there is a need for Black Church today?

Dr. Emmett G. Price III: Great question! Essentially, within protestant thought (to which both belong) there is one God, one faith and one baptism. So theologically, there is no difference. Socially, because of the history of racism in the United States, Black were not allowed to worship with whites and thus had to create separate churches. Over the many years of systematic racism, oppression and segregation the two divided churches grew apart culturally. The Black Church emerged as the center of Black life and its aesthetic was influenced first by slave culture and then further influenced by the lives and experiences of emancipated slaves and the continued plight for freedom, justice and equality. So theologically they are same, but socially and culturally they both are need of much healing, restoration and reconciliation.


Hiphopmacedonia.com: What’s the essence of Black music (in rhythm, aesthetics, in its message)?

Dr. Emmett G. Price III: The essence of Black Music is the freedom to express through music what blacks (and others) were unable to express politically, socially or economically. The rhythms, melodies, harmonies, aesthetics and all of the components of the music have implicit, subvert and obvious messages. Sometimes they are hidden “for insiders only” and other times they are understood by all listeners. The essence of Black Music is the power to express that which needs to be expressed.


Hiphopmacedonia.com: Does hip hop still operating in the ghettoes?

Dr. Emmett G. Price III: Hip Hop operates everyone! In the ghettoes, in the barrios, in the hoods, in the inner-cities, in the suburbs, in the rural areas, in the urban areas, in the posh gated communities, in the rich areas, in the wealthy mansions, Hip Hop is everywhere!!


Hiphopmacedonia.com: Your message to Macedonian hip hop artists and fans?

Dr. Emmett G. Price III: I am excited that Hip Hop is in Macedonia. My challenge is for you to take Hip Hop and expand upon it. Add to it your Macedonian flavor and then pass it on, so someone else, somewhere else will have something new to work with and to expand upon. Hip Hop is a living organism and needs to continue to grow… I am glad that the Macedonian Hip Hop artists and fans are adding their voice to the culture and contributing to its further growth and development.