This event will be in partnership with Byrdland Records, the sister record store to Songbyrd Music House.
Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole blazed paths that salvaged socially conscious rap at a pivotal time in history.
Conscious rap, a subgenre of hip-hop music that engages in dialogue about social and political issues and often challenges systems of oppression, ascended with pioneers like Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Public Enemy, Ice Cube, A Tribe Called Quest, and other acts at the helm. But in recent decades, it lost much of its favor in pop culture and mainstream hip-hop.
Jeremy C. McCool and Earl Hopkins explore the evolution of the subgenre and chronicle the rise of Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole. The two rappers are synonymous with chart-topping hits and platinum-selling albums, but their confessional poetry and soul-stirring lyrics establish them as the two biggest names in conscious rap within the new millennia.
While many new artists have abandoned the subgenre in exchange for music trends linked to instantaneous success and acclaim, Cole and Lamar have preserved the lyrical prowess and revolutionary spirit of their hip-hop forefathers. They tackle issues such as drug addiction, poverty, systemic racism, and domestic violence while still appealing to mainstream audiences. McCool and Hopkins provide a fascinating look into Lamar and Cole’s ascension: their humble upbringings, their past personal and musical challenges, and their eventual rise to becoming the two most prolific rap artists of their time.
Jeremy C. McCool is an Associate Professor of Digital/Global Media at West Chester University, USA. He is a cultural critic and scholar whose work explores the complexities of hip-hop, social consciousness, technology, and Black identity. His contributions have earned him honors such as Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 Under 40 award and West Liberty University’s Hughes Lecturer distinction.
Earl Hopkins is an award-winning arts and culture reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer. As a hip-hop critic and historian, he has contributed high-profile interviews, album reviews, and rap history guides for Billboard, GRAMMY.com, SPIN, and other platforms.
Byrdland is located in the Union Market District of Washington D.C. and carries over 5000 new and used vinyl records, curated to the tastes of DC music lovers. They carry the newest and best vinyl records in indie rock, pop, soul, R&B, hip hop, and jazz in addition to their robust used music section. Byrdland was named Washington D.C.’s Best Record Store by Washington City Paper in 2021.
There will be a pop-up vinyl sale during the event with a curated selection of records including J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar for purchase.