Bronx School of Hip-Hop welcomes first freshmen class
The school at 1600 Webster Ave. aims to use the five elements of hip-hop, emceeing, DJing, breaking, graffiti and knowledge of self, to teach traditional school subjects. Other courses include audio production, digital media and financial literacy.
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The Bronx School of Hip-Hop welcomed its inaugural freshman class of about 100 students.
"This is our first school ever in hip-hop! I started off dancing, rapping. I feel like it's going to be a fun experience for me for sure," student Xavian Sanchez said.
The school at 1600 Webster Ave. aims to use the five elements of hip-hop, emceeing, DJing, breaking, graffiti and knowledge of self, to teach traditional school subjects. Other courses include audio production, digital media and financial literacy.
The school is the first of its kind in New York City.
"The idea is that hip-hop becomes the hook, the anchor, and then rigorous learning will follow," Chris Emdin, a member of the advisory board at the Bronx School of Hip-Hop, said.
The building is also heavily influenced by music, artwork and tributes, which are on display throughout the halls, featuring artists like Lauryn Hill and the Notorious B.I.G. A sign outside the building reads "Hip-Hop is Home."
"It's a double entendre," the founding principal of the Bronx School of Hip-Hop said. "Hip-hop is home is here in the Bronx, where it started, with this school. And hip-hop is home, our home. We feel at home."
Some Bronx hip-hop legends joined students in the courtyard at dismissal to mark the occasion, including Melle Mel and Fat Joe.
"The Bronx created hip-hop," rapper Fat Joe said, "Everyone across the world enjoys hip-hop culture and so it's only right that we show our kids some pride."
Each year, the school plans to welcome a new class, eventually having grades nine through 12 within the next four years.
It's one of five new schools opening across the city, including the Bronx School of Arts & Exploration and three other schools in Queens.
