KRS-One visits Brandeis for Art, Race, Activism talk

Photo/Jarret Bencks

Hip-hop icon KRS-One visited the Brandeis campus Wednesday, where he delivered a free-flowing talk, engaged with the audience, and listed off his picks for the top five hip-hop albums of all time.

For over two hours, he electrified the crowd of mostly students, who packed Rappaport Treasure Hall to capacity. He answered questions and reflected on topics ranging from hip-hop culture to racism, art, religion, science, knowledge and life. "The Teacha," as he is called, bonded with the students with ease, warmth and humor.

As for his top five albums? He listed Run-D.M.C.'s 1984 self-titled album, "The Adventures of Slick Rick" by Slick Rick, Big Daddy Kane's "Long Live the Kane," Public Enemy's "It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back," and "Paid in Full" by Eric B. & Rakim.

KRS-One was introduced by associate professor and chair of the Department of African and Afro-American Studies Chad Williams. After the talk, he took time to take photos and sign autographs with students.

The talk was part of the ongoing “Art, Race, Activism” visiting artists series, which continues themes from last year’s “Art, Blackness, Diaspora” program. Funded by the Brandeis Arts Council, the project aims to bring artists and scholars of color to campus. It was initiated by Professor of Fine Arts Gannit Ankori in collaboration with the Rose Art Museum and the Department of African and Afro-American Studies.

“We have been working on this series for over two years now, but the timing of KRS-One’s visit couldn’t have been more perfect,” Ankori said. “He came just in time to celebrate with the FordHall2015 students and was totally inspired by their activism and their victory.”

Categories: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, Student Life

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