The Bronx Salon Presents: "Urban Culture Hip-Hop: From the Bronx to Paris and Berlin" A Discussion with Dr. Suzanne Stemmler Friday, April 27, 2007 6:30 p.m. 271 Alexander Ave., Bronx, New York (between 138 & 139 Sts.) Directions: Take 6 train to first stop in the Bronx: 3rd Ave/138th St. Walk to Alexander and 138th St. Then walk on Alexander Ave. towards 139th St. The house is on the same block, on the same side of the street as the police precinct. RSVP to: bronxsalon@gmail.com or call (646)388-1857 Space is Limited -- RSVP Strongly Encouraged   Once upon a time, the South Bronx cradled its babies to the rhythm of arsons and the mechanic beats of electro-boogie. It was impossible to imagine at the time that those tough streets were setting global trends in terms of the record and fashion industries; it was even more difficult to foresee that the music being produced back then was to coagulate an all-pervasive vocabulary of dance moves and social demands that would be appropriated by disenfranchised youth in ghettos all over the world. Actually… if we come to think about it, globalization moves to the rhythm of the music produced in the ghettos of the world. Part the product of a global sense of guilt and fear ('let's listen to what they have to say') and part the product of an overwhelming insight as to the malaises and realities of the contemporary urban world, hip-hop was born as a specific sound throbbing forth from very specific circumstances. And yet, the conditions of poverty, neglect, unemployment, day to day violence, drug abuse and official abandonment were being reproduced in urban centers all over the world. It being the case that human suffering and desperation feel similar to everybody regardless of their place of birth, hip-hop became a global movement of affirmation and destruction. Affirming that 'yeah, we are fucking alive AND singing in spite of all your bullshit,' while destroying the nasty habit of having other people speak for the ones that are being fucked up. While international syndicalism had the gross disadvantage of 'speaking for' the workers of the world, hip-hop has the advantage of having the disenfranchised and racialized to speak for themselves. It turned out that their music was not sweet and fancy; it is rather like a kind of scary and cracky noise. (Protect your kids and cover your women!!!!!) And that noise is now coming not only from the African-Americans and Boricuas in New York, but also from Turks in Berlin, Chicanos in LA, the Beurs in Paris, Pakistanis in Birmingham, among many other angry people. Every urban center worth that name has an outer ring of noise. You are not a city if you don't have your angry folks out there rhyming and scratching.  However, it all has come full circle, or almost. Putting aside its eminently international character, nationalist and tribalist claims are now being hip-hoped all over; and the kids of the rich and privileged are also hip-hoping their boring lives for all of us to hear. From the suburbs to your mp3 with love. The South Bronx is now a different place, or so they claim. (What a difference it makes to have one or two galleries reviewed by the New York Times!) With the hope of figuring out 'what's going on,' the Bronx Salon is extremely excited to announce a talk and discussion on the contemporary Hip-Hop movement with Suzanne Stemmler. Dr. Stemmler has conducted extensive research on the global aspects of the Hip-Hop movement, its capacity to articulate local situations and points of conflict, and its function as an integrative axis for minority groups in urban areas. Given the fact that the South Bronx is one of the putative birth places--if not the putative center--of the Hip-Hop movement, discussing this topic in our South Bronx Salon will make this a very timely and compelling event. Dr.Stemmler, a Berlin-based scholar working with the Center for Metropolitan Studies, brings to her work a multi-disciplinary approach that serves as a perfect point of departure for questions and lively discussion. RSVP in advance as seating is limited. As with our previous Bronx Salon soirée, we will wrap up the night with festivities and expect a live performance. Alcohol contributions greatly appreciated.