Today’s program highlight activity is from Lyricism 101. In this activity, I am Hip Hop Leadership, you will find inspiration for your own work as you explore how hip hop affects society.  Grab your journal or a computer to record your thoughts as you answer the following questions:

1. What bothers you? What upsets you? What makes you feel sad?
2. What is it that you want to see changed?
3. What do you think current administration can do to do better or different?

Several artist have used the title “If I Ruled the World” to inspire their communities to make change.  Using the versions below as examples write your own “If I Ruled the World” lyrics. Refer back to your recorded answers from above if needed.

If I Ruled The World

If I ruled the world, was king on the throne

I’d make peace in every culture, build the homeless a home

I’m not running for Congress or the President

I’m just here, to tell the world, how my story went

–Kurtis Blow

If I ruled the world (Imagine that)

I’d free all my sons, I love em love em baby

Black diamonds and pearls (Could it be, if you could

Be mine, we’d both shine)

If I ruled the world (Still living for today, in

These last days and times)

–Lauryn Hill

The way to be, paradise like relaxing black, Latino and Anglo-Saxon

Armani Exchange deranged

Cash, Lost Tribe of Shabazz, free at last

Brand new whips to crash then we laugh in the iller path

The Villa house is for the crew, how we do

–Nas

Now I rule the world and now, I’m on top

And I’m rolling with folks that could never be stopped

And I’m here to let you know this is where I belong

And to you sucker MC’s that sing my song

And it’s a song that’s strong about right and wrong

–Kurtis Blow