The study of Hip Hop at Rice University began in Fall 2006 when Dr. Anthony B. Pinn offered a new course--RELI 157/311 Religion and Hip Hop Culture in America. In part through the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (formally the Houston Enriches Rice Education Project), Dr. Pinn's work in Hip Hop at Rice University includes various related projects—from creating an archive to panel discussions, lectures, and exhibits, to developing innovative courses, to partnerships with key members of the Hip Hop community, such as Bun B, K-Rino, KRS-ONE, Mia-X, and Kool Moe Dee among others.
All this work, both on and off the Rice campus, is meant to highlight and explore Hip Hop’s impact on local and global communities. The CERCL Hip Hop Archival Collection and Oral History Series held at Rice University's Fondren Library Woodson Research Center increase the spotlight on Hip Hop, preserve its importance for future generations, and underscore Hip Hop's role as a space where community and intellectual leadership is generated and cultivated.
| Year | Hip Hop Related Archival Collections, Courses, Exhibits, Lectures, Panels, Publications... |
|---|---|
| 2006 |
Dr. Pinn taught first RELI 157/311 Religion and Hip Hop Culture in America at Rice University | Course page |
| 2010 |
HERE Legacy Awards - Celebrating 25 Years of Hip Hop in Houston | The Legacy Award was given to James A. Prince of Rap-a-Lot Records as part of a larger program including a panel of central figures “cyphering” about the significance and contribution of hip-hop in Houston over the last two and a half decades. | Video | Rice News Article
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| 2011 |
Bernard “Bun B” Freeman joined Dr. Pinn to co-teach RELI 157/311 as CERCL Distinguished Visiting Lecturer. In line with CERCL's mission to bridge the gap between Rice and the Houston community, several special sessions of the course were offered for free at off campus venues | Video | Course Page
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| 2012 |
Awready! Houston Hip Hop Conference | A collaborative conference and launch of the Houston Hip Hop Archival Network (CERCL at Rice University and the University of Houston Library) | Videos | Participant Video | UH News Article
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| 2013 |
SwishaHouse: Leaders in Houston Hip Hop: Past & Present | Panel discussion & induction into CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection. Panelists: Michael “5000” Watts, G Dash, OG Ron C, Chamilllionaire, Lil Keke, Archie Lee & Moderator Mad Hatta | Rice News |
| 2014 |
Rice Rap Club | Rice undergraduate student and former Religion and Hip Hop Culture in America student formed the club with Dr. Pinn as faculty sponsor | Instagram |
| 2015 |
RELI 157X Religion and Hip Hop Class Online (MOOC) - The course explored how hip hop acts as a complex canvas for religious expression, questioning how rap music reflects, critiques, and shapes conventional ideals of faith, identity, and culture. Co-taught by Dr. Anthony Pinn (Professor of Religious Studies at Rice University) and legendary rapper/Grammy nominee Bernard “Bun B” Freeman (of UGK) the online course on edX platform consisted of short video packages, readings, music analysis, and expert interviews | Rice News | Facebook Breaking Bread Breaking Beats Book & Book Launch Event - The event featured live art creation by Gonzo247 and awards to Ronda Prince, Anzel Jennings & Maya Reine for their support and work on RELI157 course. The book looks at how the Black Church and Hip Hop—two major forces in the African American community intersect. | Book Texas College DJ Battle Influence of Gandhi and King on Hip Hop Culture - Panel discussion at the Menil Collection - Hip-hop culture draws from a range of sources, including the teachings and strategies of Martin Luther King Jr., and by extension Gandhi. Bernard "Bun B" Freeman, CERCL Distinguished Visiting Lecturer, University (an original member of the southern rap duo UGK); Talib Kweli, recording artist; Monica Miller, professor, Lehigh University; Anthony Pinn, professor, Rice University; Paul Davis, curator of collections, Menil Collection; and Josef Helfenstein, director, Menil Collection explore the hip-hop genre's contribution to nonviolence and social justice. | Menil Archive World AIDs Day Panel Houston’s Response 34 years later ~ CCM Foundation panel discussion with panelists: Bun B, G Dash, Lil Keke, Fly Young Red, Brian Angel, Recording Artist, Tami Roman, Marlene McNeese, Wanda Adams |
| 2016 |
Still Dreaming: Black Lives Matter, Hip Hop, and MLK’s Legacy @ Rothko Chapel - Award-winning artist David Banner, Houston legend Bernard “Bun B” Freeman, musical ambassador Toni Blackman, and author and Rice University professor Dr. Anthony Pinn discussed the intersection of music and civil rights; Lone Star College professor Dr. Aundrea Matthews moderated the dialogue while focussin on these questions: How has hip hop contributed to the conversations on racial justice, including the Black Lives Matter movement? Do artists have a responsibility to MLK’s legacy? Texas College DJ Battle HaviKoro Anniversary Breaking battle, panel, archive induction, on Mayors proclamation day |
| 2017 |
HaviKoro Crew 17th Anniversary Celebration & Breaking Competition - HaviKoro Crew celebrated their induction into CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection housed at the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library during a three day celebration. Day one, March 4th, 2016 was the Mayor's proclamation of HaviKoro Day, on day two Rice University's Grand Hall was transformed into a Breaking amateur competition space, Day three was the official induction, documentary viewing and panel discussion. SLFEMP 1999-2017 | Mike Frost - This event featured a 1000 image slideshow documenting Houston's underground rap culture and panel discussion with Mike Frost, a photographer and graphic designer who has defined the image and branding of rap and hip hop albums in Texas and beyond, and panlists Paul Wall, Brandon Holley, Orbit, G-Dash, and Michael "5000" Watts of the SwishaHouse. This event celebrated the induction of the SLFEMP/Mike Frost collection into CERCL's Hip Hop archive in the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library. The event was part of Moody Center for the Arts Dimensions Variable, a full day of programming held in conjunction with Mickalene Thomas: Waiting on a Prime-Time Star Exhibition. Pimp C: A Trill Legacy - Over 500 visitors attended a panel to discuss the legacy of Chad "Pimp C" Butler and celebrate the induction of materials into CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection housed at the Woodson Research Center Special Collections and University Archives in Rice’s Fondren Library. Pimp C was a founding member of UGK along with Bernard "Bun B" Freeman in Port Arthur, Texas. The archival collection contains several documents and paraphernalia of the artist, including handwritten song lyrics on loose leaf paper and cardboard, a Grammy nomination, a copy of his obituary from his funeral, and several forms of artwork featuring Pimp C. | CCM Photo edit | Rice News Article Maco Faniel Scholar In Residence Lecture |
| 2018 | Dr. Pinn taught RELI 157/311 Religion and Hip Hop Class at Rice
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| 2019 |
Webinar: A Conversation on Race and Racism in America - In this special Baker Institute webinar, Bun B participated in a discussion on race and racism in America moderated by Anthony B. Pinn. | Video |
| 2022 |
Still Tippin Since '97 Exhibit - Swishahouse Art Experience: Curated by Mike Frost | Video |
| 2023 |
Damon Dash Go! Entrepreneur - Oral History Interview conducted by Portia Hopkins, University Historian and Co Garrett, CERCL Community Archival Affiliate & induction into CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection | Rice Business School News | Video Scotty ATL - Woodson Research Center archival visit, Oral history interview conducted by Co Garrett, CERCL Community Archival Affiliate & induction into CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection |
| 2024 |
Straight Flexin’, No Plexin’: A Hip Hop Exhibit - During Black Music Month Rice University’s CERCL and Fondren Library partnered with the Houston Public Library and the CCM Foundation to help present this immersive exhibit. The exhibit was held in the Vinson Branch Library at Hiram Clarke Multi-Service Center from June - November, to showcase an unparalleled collection of artifacts and memorabilia from hip-hop icons such as SwishaHouse, E-40 and Scotty ATL along with exclusive, never-before-seen items from rapper and record producer Pimp C. | Texas Monthly One-on-One with The Teacha: KRS-One & Dr. Anthony Pinn - This one-on-one conversation between KRS-One and Dr. Anthony Pinn is part of CERCL's Hip Hop Archive Oral History Series held by Fondren Library’s Woodson Research Center. | Video Mia X: Soldier. Survivor. Savant. - The induction of Mia X into the CERCL Hip Hop Archival Collection at Fondren Library’s Woodson Research Center. Mia X, the first female emcee to get a contract with rapper and entertainment magnate, Master P on his successful record label No Limit Records, discussed her life and career at a free open to the public event at the Rice Memorial Center/Ley Student Center. A panel including Dr Anthony Pinn, Chinara Butler and G Dash of SwishaHouse discussed Mia's contributions to Southern Hip Hop. | Video Visit to Temple of Hip Hop for Hip Hop Kultural Specialist Certification |
| 2025 |
Kool Moe Dee discussion w/Pinn | Video Drumma Boy Interview Uno the Activist - Rice Rap Club brought rapper UnotheActivist to the Pub at Rice University for a sold out concert. During the visit Uno was interviewed by Hassan Henderson-Lott for CERCL's Hip Hop Archival Collection & Oral History Series held at Rice University's Fondren Library Woodson Research Center. | Video |