The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum


Hip-Hop Technology: From Turntables to Computers

Suggested Grade Level: 4-12

Since its inception in the early 1970s, hip-hop culture has become one of the most important forms of expression for young people on the planet. This class allows students to experience the ways that technology is incorporated into hip-hop music and culture. Students will explore the early innovations of hip-hop deejays and the development of classic turntable techniques like “playing the break,” as heard in “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang. The class includes a live demonstration in which students help to create a new musical composition using the latest computer music software. Don’t miss this chance to learn about the creation of hip-hop music and culture and gain insight into the world of music technology and production.

Interested?  Click here to book this program!

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Video Resources

Videos are offered as supplemental content to classes.

Director of Curatorial Affairs Howard Kramer talks about Snoop's shoes as marketing strategy.

See below for additional video resources related to this class.

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Selected Song List

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Class Resources

This class will address multiple music technologies that hip-hop artists innovated.

Registering for this Class

To sign up for this class, click on the REGISTER NOW button below and follow the instructions for program registration. An education department representative will contact you within 2-3 days of the program request submission. If a representative does not contact you within 5 business days, please call the Education Department at 216.515.1202.

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Additional Resources

Photo Galleries

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Videos

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The students were really into the program! They learned that music is a serious subject that can be studied and mastered. I never really thought about hip hop as a really thorough history lesson. This shows that we need to do a better job of relating parts of history to what students are interested in. They will learn more and retain more.
- A middle school teacher in Palm Bay, FL
After the session we cleared our desks and the classroom turned into an old school dance party!
- An elementary teacher in Westbury, NY
The ability to connect and exchange information with someone hundreds of miles away and hundreds of times more knowledgeable in hip-hop history was amazing!
- Anonymous teacher in Vermont
My students have participated in previous distance learning programs and this one was by far the best. The videos kept the students engaged along with the dialog with the presenter. I feel the students will retain the information they received because of the interesting presentation. The educator's knowledge of the subject was far beyond expected.
- A middle school math and science teacher in Baton Rouge, LA
I feel the students were fully engaged throughout this program. It inspired the students and their creativity in the fine arts. They were able to use what they had learned prior, during, and after the presentation/in class to create music hands on with the presenter.
- A 5th grade teacher in Shelbyville, TN
The program definitely sparked student interest on the history of music. A large portion of the students that participated were able to learn the origins of some of the music they enjoy today.
- A middle school teacher in Carmichael, CA
“This is bigger than me. This induction is total acceptance from one of the most prestigious music associations in the world…It’s a wonderful feeling to be remembered the architects that pioneered an idea that the whole world fell in love with. It is called hip hop.”
- Grandmaster Flash, 2007 Inductee from his website
My students LOVED all of the information and could of kept asking you questions for ever. The program was great and really of interest for our students who are 18-26 with disabilities. Great experience for all!
- A special education teacher in Saginaw, MI
Our instructor was incredible! The interactive audio production was very engaging for the students. I gained new knowledge in the areas of the actual roots of hip-hop and the subsequent progression. This information was invaluable.
- An audio production teacher in Edmonton, Alberta (Canada)
“As a whole we enjoyed the presentation of Hip-Hop and Music Technology. It has inspired a few of us to start making our own beat tracks using computer technology.”
- Dawn Lindsay, Northwest Academy