CLASSROOM STORIES: Women and Hip-Hop History by Toni Magras

In this episode, in honor of Black History Month, we present one of the episodes produced in this winter's course on the Politics and Poetics of Hip-Hop offered by historian and Professor Katherine Jewell. 

The assignment said: 

"This assignment is your chance to advance your own interpretation of the evolution or application of the knowledge and insight developed this term. In a one-hour radio show, for which you will produce a script and a playlist and record for dissemination on WXPL, build a thematic engagement with an aspect of the course. Your playlist can take any theme you would like, but it should make specific reference to readings and ideas encountered this term, cited in the transcript. Take your listener on a musical journey through an aspect of hip-hop informed by its past."

Toni Magras (COMM '25) offered an engaging thematic interrogation of women in hip hop, including an interview with her daughter, Ashleigh (Lady Repo), who is also a musician and MC. Presented as a radio show for Fitchburg State's radio station, WXPL, the show combines musical reflection with an analysis of how women MCs advanced the art and expression of hip hop.

The Power Show was written and produced entirely by Toni Magras of Hull Bay Productions.

Show Credits:

In the show, she features extracts from:

• PUSH-IT Salt-n-Pepa, Released in 1987, Producer: Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor
• "Ladies First," Queen Latifah featuring Monie Love, Released in 1989
• "Dance For Me," Queen Latifah, Released in 1989
• "You Can’t Play With My Yo Yo" Yo-Yo, Released in 1991; Written by Yo-Yo, Ice Cube, James Brown, Charles Sherrell
• "Make A Livin’" MC Lyte, Released in 2024
• "I Wanna Be Down" Brandy featuring MC Lyte, Yo-Yo, Queen Latifah, Released in 1994
• "Doo Wop (That Thing)" Lauren Hill, Released in 1998; Written and Produced by Lauren Hill
• "Not Tonight (Ladies Night Remix)" Featuring Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliot, Da Brat, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, and Angela Martinez, Released 1997
• "Moment 4 Life" Nicki Minaj, Released 2010
• "They Know" Drama Queen, Released in 2012
• "I'm a Boss" Drama Queen featuring Lady Repo, Released in 2012

Episode Transcript here.
 
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