R&P: Rhythm AND Poetry

Although we love Hip Hop for the beats that make us move, rap music has always been about using words as a form of expression. R&P: Rhythm AND Poetry opens the door to experiencing rap music as a Literary Art form by emphasizing the P in Rap. During this single session course participants will be listening to, reading, and discussing the album “blkswn” by Saint Louis native, Smino. We’ll take a deep dive into the album prioritizing how Smino uses words to creatively convey a message. With “blkswn” as our literary framework, participants will learn different literary devices, poetic forms and writing techniques as simple as rhyming, or as complex as synecdoches. Participants will gain the ability to identify these literary devices and be provided prompts, activities and writing time in order to practice them. The goal of this course is to bring back the skill and provide the opportunity for development in rap/rappers/rapping.

NOTE: This course is intended for Black people, poets, emcees, and rappers to work on craft, generate writing, and build community in a space where they and their work are centered. All are welcome in the group, but we ask anyone attending the meetings to be mindful of the space you take up in the group and the energy you bring into the space, which is meant to amplify the voices of Black individuals that have been historically silenced. Anyone being disrespectful or disruptive may be asked to leave.

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Details: R&P: Rhythm AND Poetry with Substance McCulloh takes place Saturday, November 14th from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM at the Literary Cleveland Office (13002 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120).

‍Genre: Fiction

‍Level: All levels

‍Format: One session craft talk

‍Location: This class takes place in person at the Literary Cleveland Office (13002 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120).

‍Size: Limited to 22 participants (including two scholarship recipients).

‍Scholarships: Two scholarship spots are available for this class for writers in Northeast Ohio. Apply by Sunday, August 23rd. Click here to apply.

‍Cancellations & Refunds: Cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the first class meeting to receive a full refund. Email programs@litcleveland.org.