This work was created by Scott Gelbert and Tristan Naylor. Both are freshman at the Dayton Regional STEM School. They worked together to create a piece of work that is known as a silhouette. They chose to do hip hop and modern rap because they both listen to the music and thought it would be interesting to show how it affected the African American community. Also to show how the meaning has changed.

The work was created to show what hip hop was like when it started in the South Bronx, to now. On the left is when hip hop just started. They are dancing on top of a crumbling building with other fallen buildings in the background. On the right is present day hip hop/ rap.  They are dancing on top of a city building. In present day, they come up with different kinds of dance moves and rap about them. “Look at me” is used and written in graffiti to represent what times were like for African Americans in the Bronx. “Me” is used as “us” to show that the African American community deserves equality. “Watch me” is used in present day to be recognized as well. But for different reasons. “Me” in this case is used to be recognized for dancing. The skyline in the back of the modern day, we feel like, represents them on top of the world because they don’t have to worry about poverty.   

We chose graffiti for hip-hop because they began to “tag” buildings during those times. We chose to give the modern day rap side a Broadway vibe with the screen and words going across it.   

The work was created to show the similarities and differences of hip hop when it started in the Bronx in the ‘70s, to present day rap. Also what still needs to change. The work shows that the approach is still the same. They still want “everyone” to know what they are going through, see, and know. What has changed are the beat/ tempo, dance moves, and choice of words. Today they use terms that may offend and push most people away from the message they want to get across. Lastly, the approach on others still has to change. Rappers, whether intentional or not, say things that can start a “war” between producers and artists. It can also cause violence within communities. It used to be about the hard times growing up as an African American, but now it is about doing illegal things; not so much about making a change.  

It may not have improved much but still shows part of our past and our present day. The silhouette was a good approach on the project because it helps to imagine what is happening. It helps place you in that time period.