Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies

The Hip Hop Initiative (HHI), led by Dr. H. Samy Alim, builds on the university’s pioneering legacy in Hip Hop Studies. HHI brings together a powerful community of scholars, artists, activists, and students to examine hip hop’s artistic, social, and political significance through cutting-edge research and public programming. With deep roots in the field, including scholars like Robin D. G. Kelley, Cheryl L. Keyes, H. Samy Alim, Bryonn Bain, Adam Bradley, Scot Brown, Kyle Mays, and more, the Initiative serves as a dynamic hub for critical scholarship, cultural exchange, and community partnerships that reflect hip hop’s enduring global influence.

In the Hour of Chaos: Hip Hop, Art & Activism with Public Enemy’s Chuck D is a powerful documentary that explores the cultural and political force of Hip Hop through the lens of legendary emcee and activist Chuck D, created during his tenure as the UCLA Hip Hop Initiative’s inaugural Artist-in-Residence in 2022. Narrated by Chuck D and featuring leading scholars, artists, and activists, the film traces five decades of Hip Hop’s revolutionary roots, global reach, and continued urgency in today’s “hour of chaos.” A special screening of the film was held on June 2, 2025, at UCLA’s Hammer Museum bringing together artists, students, and community members to reflect on Hip Hop’s legacy as a catalyst for art, activism, and social change.

On February 14, 2025, the Hip Hop Initiative, in partnership with the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, hosted an inspiring evening celebrating 25 years of feminism in Hip Hop and the anniversary of Joan Morgan’s groundbreaking book When Chickenheads Come Home to Roost. Though Hip Hop is often seen as a male-dominated genre, women have been shaping the culture, sound, and politics of the movement since its inception – speaking truth, breaking barriers, and redefining power on their own terms. The event honored that legacy, bringing together artists, scholars, and fans to reflect on how Hip Hop feminism continues to challenge norms, expand representation, and prove that women have always been, and will continue to be, at the heart of the culture.