A Road Scholar Program by Catalina Maria Johnson

Latin hip hop artists are advancing the poetic traditions of their countries in unique ways. Ana Tijoux from Chile was raised on protest songs and Pablo Neruda; Residente from Calle 13, Puerto Rico spits out rhymes as carefully crafted as any poet’s; Niña Dioz from Mexico reads dictionaries to find the precise words to fit her ideas and rhymes; Xiutehzcatl from Boulder, Colorado rhymes in three languages: Spanish, English and Nahuatl–an ancient indigenous language. Nevertheless, academia and poetic circles have surprisingly not embraced and celebrated these artists as poets.

This program, with video and lyric examples will make a case for hip hop as the new poetry with a focus on Latinos in the U.S., the Americas. The presentation, paired with slides and a rich set of musical videos, is lively, light and fun, and focused on participation, discussion, and musical enjoyment!

This event is Free and Open to the public. For more information, please contact Suzanna Jones at reference@chathamlib.org.

Chatham Area Public Library COVID-19 Policy

The Library follows what the state mandates are. If it is required to have masks and or vaccination requirements, we will follow those rules. If no restrictions, we will not have those required. We will have the seats spread out so patrons on not right next to each other.

Learn more about Catalina Maria Johnson, this program, and how to book it.