The Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music (BSACAM) and the Monmouth University Music and Theatre Arts Department will host “A History of Hip-Hop Sampling” on Feb. 7 at 7:00 p.m. in Woods Theatre. Music journalists John Morrison and Josh Leidy will present a multimedia presentation exploring the history of hip-hop culture and the evolution of sampling in cultural and technological contexts. The event will be followed by performances by Blue Hawk Records Students and artists.
Melissa Ziobro, BSACAM curator and adjunct public history professor, knew she had to have Morrison and Leidy visit the university after hearing about the success of their program at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia “I knew I wanted to try to bring it to Monmouth – because it was so well-received there and because we at the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music really want to be celebrating a wide range of musical genres. I am so grateful that we won a Diversity and Innovation Grant to make it happen,” Ziobro explained.
The event will not only feature these journalists, but some of our very own campus performers. Joe Rapolla, specialist professor of music and theatre arts, explained, “Blue Hawk Records is a vibrant platform for Monmouth’s incredibly talented student/artists, who represent a wide array of musical genres and styles—from hip-hop to pop, rock, and beyond. This event will feature exclusive live performances that showcase the breadth of some of our accomplished Hip Hop artists. The performances will be especially notable for their authenticity, as they’re crafted and executed by students who are supported by our acclaimed music industry program. The students will be working alongside their peers in areas like production, promotion, and sound engineering, ensuring a high-quality, professional-level presentation. It’s a chance to see the future of music from the next generation of artists.”
Rapolla continued, “The history and evolution of hip-hop sampling is a fascinating journey through culture, technology, and innovation. This event offers a unique opportunity for our students, faculty, and the wider Monmouth community to engage with the deeper roots of hip-hop, particularly its role in shaping modern music. By collaborating with the Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music, we’re able to provide a rich, interdisciplinary learning experience. Not only will attendees gain insight into the cultural and technological innovations that have shaped hip-hop, but they’ll also experience the ongoing legacy of this genre through the performances of our talented student-artists. It’s an event that speaks to the heart of both musical history and contemporary creativity, and it’s a chance for everyone to connect with the power of music in ways that resonate across generations.”
Attendees are assured that they will be able to learn about Hip Hop as well as gain some more appreciation for our campus community. “I think people will learn a little history, and be enormously impressed by the talented musicians we have right here on our beautiful campus!” Ziobro concluded.
