Latin Hip Hop as a New Poetry

Chicago-based music journalist Catalina Maria Johnson, Ph.D. will join us for an afternoon of Latin Hip Hop as a New Poetry, a presentation which centers Latin hip hop artists and discusses how they are advancing the poetic traditions of their countries in unique ways, including the use of many languages like Spanish, English, and Nahuatl, an ancient indigenous language. Her program uses video and lyric examples with a focus on Latinos in the U.S. and the Americas. The presentation is lively, light, and fun, focusing on participation, discussion, and musical enjoyment!

Ms. Johnson hosts and produces her own radio show, Beat Latino, which airs on Vocalo (Chicago Public Media) and other USA cities, as well as, Berlin. She is also a regular contributor to NPR, Songlines and other publications, and an editorial board member of Revista Contratiempo. Her music journalism explores the extraordinary diversity of the global music scene with an emphasis on Latine music – from the most traditional roots music to cutting-edge electronic grooves.

Ms. Johnson has been a speaker and panelist for programs at universities, libraries, and schools for at least 15 years in relationship to language, music, cultural studies, history, Latinx Heritage Month, and similar topics. She is a popular Road Scholar who has shared many amazing experiences with people throughout Illinois.

Register online or call the Adult Services at 815-534-6173.

Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council Agency], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.