This week we read poetry by the Africa-American poets Langston Hughes and Dr. Maya Angelo. Poetry can also be found in music. Lyrics (the words of a song) are poetry combined with music. Rap music is a form of modern poetry. Many rap artists have been inspired by the same life challenges that Langston Hughes and Dr. Angelo write about in their poems. In the following activity you will compare the poems we read in class with two classic rap songs....
Assignment:
1. View the following videos and reflect on the theme and messages of the poems
a. Poem: Mother to Son by: Langston Hughes
b. Poem: Still I Rise by: Dr. Maya Angelou
2. View the following rap videos and reflect on the theme and messages of the lyrics
a. Keep Ya Head Up by: TuPac
b. Momma Said Knock You Out by: L L Cool J.
3. Choose one poem and one rap song to compare.
4. In an open-ended paragraph explain the reason for your choice. Also, write about the similarities and differences of between the poem and rap song you choose.
