Ryan ChartrandSome people view hip-hop music as nothing more than just that, music.
But a Cal Poly group still in its first year on campus is representing hip-hop culture and all of its elements: emcees, DJs, graffiti art and breakdancing.
Formed last spring, Students United by Hip-Hop Culture’s mission statement is “to provide a place for those interested in hip-hop culture to take part in or experience the culture as well as positively affect the community.”
“There’s so much behind hip-hop other than the music,” said one of the group’s three founders, business junior Matt Johnson. “In general and in the San Luis Obispo area, people get a misleading idea about hip-hop culture. It has a negative connotation in the older generation.”
The group’s president, journalism junior Brian McMullen, said part of the reason people often misunderstand hip-hop culture is because of underexposure.
“You go to UU Hour and it’s all rock bands, emo and things of that nature,” McMullen said. “It’s the students who are interested in hip-hop culture that are kind of hidden among the student body. The club is really a chance for those interested in hip-hop.”
Though it may relocate next quarter, the group currently meets weekly at 8 p.m. Tuesdays in the Business building. Roughly 10 to 12 people show up regularly, McMullen said.
“The goal of the club is not only to give people interested a place to go, but also to bring venues and more hip-hop to the community in a positive way too,” McMullen said. “We’re in the roots or genesis stage. We’re trying to make our mark and get known.”
McMullen said the group strives to represent all styles of hip-hop, whether it’s underground, Top 40 or club, West Coast, East Coast, old-school or anything else.
“The group covers everything,” McMullen said. “We love all hip-hop. The group does not discriminate.”
The group focuses on the positive origins of hip-hop before it became used as a marketing tool, Johnson said.
“Hip-hop has always been about having fun, but you have to be responsible,” he said.
Though both McMullen and Johnson said they listen to all forms of hip-hop, their favorite emcees and groups vary.
McMullen said 1980s and underground are his favorites, but he also listens to contemporary artists such as Ludacris.
Johnson, who breakdances, listed his favorite acts as Aesop Rock, Binary Star, Cunninglynguists, Zion I and Gateway.
“I listen to something you can get a lot from,” Johnson said.
Aside from McMullen and Johnson, the group’s other founder is civil engineering major Brenton Smith. Its adviser is Preston Allen, associate vice president of Student Affairs.
McMullen’s ultimate goal for the group is ambitious.
“I envision it being part of Cal Poly’s history in the future,” he said. “It becomes something so big and well regarded that students when considering universities to go to might say, ‘Cal Poly has this really sweet hip-hop club. I want to see about going there.'”