HIP-HOP "A PILL FOR THE MIND": SPOKEN WORD THERAPY AS AN EMOTION PROCESSING INTERVENTION FOR HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY

Abstract

This article discusses the benefits of a school-based Hip Hop and beat production curriculum for students. While a substantial quantity of literature has reported the benefits of Hip Hop programs in North American schools, relatively little is known about the advantages of such programs in Vietnam. This ethnographic study investigated a two-week intensive Hip Hop music curriculum taught to students at Hanoi’s Chu Van An High school for the Gifted. The study adopted a purposefully open and emergent methodology to prevent preconceived notions of potential advantages and to permit the emergence of any unforeseen benefits. In addition, the parts of the program that looked essential for producing the stated advantages were analyzed. While time constraints were deemed to limit the program's potential, a number of student benefits were noted, including school community engagement, social connection, and personal growth. The presentation of facilitators, the program's capacity to connect with students' musical preferences, the equipment and location, and the emphasis on Hip Hop culture were deemed crucial to these benefits. While additional research is required to fully investigate these results, they do give crucial evidence for the potential role that Hip Hop and beat making programs can play in Vietnam classrooms.