ABOUT THE SHOW

Who knows what hip-hop would sound like without Grandmaster Flash? A musical pioneer in every sense of the word, Flash transformed the turntable into an expressive and complex instrument, and introduced the world to record scratching, beat juggling, and breaks. His mastery of these techniques elevated DJ’ing to an art form, while his legendary parties in the South Bronx became the cradle of hip-hop culture.

This audiovisual lecture/demonstration is an educational, entertaining, and interactive experience that takes you on a journey with one of the founding fathers of hip-hop. As the architect of the quick mix theory, Grandmaster Flash will show you how as a teenager, he used his knowledge of electronic repair to experiment with different styles and techniques and bridge the gap between musical genres—incorporating elements of funk, soul, and disco into his mixes. Now, as we celebrate 50 years of hip-hop, a whole new generation will experience a once in a lifetime hip-hop history lesson from one of the creators and legends in the genre.

Serving as host and panelist will be Dr. Marlo David, director of African American Studies and Research Center in Purdue University College of Liberal Arts. Matthew Joseph, postdoctoral research assistant in belonging, equity, and inclusion in Purdue’s John Martinson Honors College, will serve as a panelist for the event.