Through demonstration, practice, and creative exploration, students will write, refine, and perform their own original hip-hop song.
The program begins with the instructor performing two original hip-hop pieces, followed by guided listening to classic artists such as The Sugarhill Gang, KRS-One, and Kool Moe Dee. Students will explore what defines hip-hop culture and sound—rhythm, storytelling, message, and performance—and how it differs from rap alone.
Next, students will be introduced to the fundamentals of lyric writing, including rhyme, flow, structure, and voice. The instructor will demonstrate how to pair lyrics with beats, using clear, engaging examples. Students will then write their own verses and experiment with beats to bring their songs to life.
Throughout the class, students will listen to and respectfully critique each other’s work, learning how feedback strengthens both writing and performance. The program concludes with an optional live performance, where students can use the provided headset and speaker to confidently perform their finished hip-hop songs.
Please bring a notebook, pen or pencil, water bottle and a nut-free snack.
Desmond Curran, the “Traveling Troubadour,” is a Spoken Word / Performance Artist currently living in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Born in Anchorage, Alaska, and calling various places home during his life, he incorporates into his writing (and performance) his experiences with the kaleidoscope of people he’s encountered. Informed by his lifelong love of the Sea and the Outdoors, Desmond creates a distinctively individual voice that examines many of today’s most pressing issues: mental health, grief and isolation, social media, global instability, and climate change. His performance art includes: original hip hop, original spoken word, iconic scenes from movies, and Shakespearean monologues. Desmond performs deeply personal pieces with his characteristic humor and sensitivity, and with an artistic eye for hope and, ultimately, healing.
https://desmondthetravelingtroubadour.com/Facebook Desmond The Troubadour
Desmond Curran
