Youth (Culture) - between Entertainment and Violence (Symposium)

Hip-hop is a cultural phenomenon encountered the world over. What started in the subculture of the Bronx in New York in the mid-1970s has become an integral part of the culture of young people today. It also strongly influences the music and fashion industries. With its symposium “Youth (Culture) - Between Entertainment and Violence” the ZKM will become a platform for discussion on the aesthetic, cultural, social and economic sides to hip-hop. Rappers from France, Senegal and Germany will discuss the aesthetics and socio-political potential of the music and lifestyle with a number of scholars. The symposium will conclude with a hip-hop jam session.

Through globalization, hip-hop has spread to all levels of society. It offers a wide range of possibilities for self-realization. Ethnic and social origins are no longer the only authoritative criteria for membership. Individuals and groups have instead to succeed in developing their own innovative and authentic style to fit the hip-hop mold.

Non-violence is part of the history of the hip-hop movement and the focus was on avoiding clashes over aesthetic issues like rap, graffiti writing and breakdancing. The goal is social acceptance. Yet, the glorification of violence – as in Gangsta Rap – is an integral part of hip-hop. Is today’s aesthetic code still related to ethical values?

The culture of today’s youth seeks to set itself off from the dominant social and aesthetic norms. However, aesthetic innovations originating in subculture are integrated into mass media and the consumer goods industry at an ever faster pace. This weakens the capability of young people to generate an identity through provocation and constraint. How does aesthetic innovation function when it creates new symbolic worlds from a limitless supply of consumer goods? Is hip-hop a counter-culture? Our gigantic market economy seems to refute this hypothesis as much as it refutes the observation that hip hop has become a popular instrument in the hands of social workers. Since the 1950s what has changed in respect to youthful protest, commerce and the media? What are the differences in the situations in France and Germany? New complex models must be created.

Program

4 pm:
Welcoming remarks by Peter Weibel

4.05-4.30 pm:
Introduction by Eva Kimminich: Hate & Hope – A Young Person’s Survival Strategies: between Aggression and Commerce

4.30-6.30 pm:
Podium: Eva Kimminich, K-Fear [La Brigade, Paris], Omzo [Dakar], Yann Gilg [Les Sons D'la Rue, Strasbourg], Albert Scharenberg [Berlin]

6:30-7 pm: Break

7-7.30 pm:
Introduction by Roland Eckert: Being Genuine and Coming Out on Top – Contradictions in the Productivity of Culture within Cliques

7.30-8 pm:
Podium: Jannis Androutsopoulos, Kool Savas [Berlin], Falk aka Hawkeye [VIVA, Köln/ Mixery Raw Deluxe], Tefla & Jaleel [Chemnitz], Peter Weibel

10 pm-12am: 
Rap jam session: Hip-Hop live with Kool Savas with Eko Fresh & DJ Nicon - Mahooni [Razbool] / Severe [Meufia] / Moussa mit DJ Zone - La Brigade - Tefla & Jaleel - Omzo