Whether it is the student body or the variety of activities available on campus, diversity is Grinnell College's calling card. For the week of Feb. 24 through March 8, Hip-Hop Unit is hosting a two-week long program, Hip-Hop Evolved, meant to expand that diversity by raising awareness of the hip-hop genre.

Hip-Hop Evolved is the brainchild of Veronique Porter '08, who organised the event. Among the many activities offered, the symposium includes events from contemporary hip-hop films to workshops on the art of spoken word geared toward unmasking hip-hop's underlying concepts.

Pat Green '09 started Hip-Hop Unit, a club that was originally focused on dance, two years ago to bring some life back into hip-hop focused activities on campus. "The hip-hop club that was here when I was a first year disappeared when my second year began so I decided to start this," said Green.

The symposium has generated interest from many Grinnellians, ranging from those who want to expand their musical awareness to seasoned veterans of the art who would just like to see more hip-hop on campus. "It gets overlooked how much this community listens to hip-hop and likes it," said Asa Wilder '10. "The support is definitely here in the community for hip-hop."

Cultural diversity accompanies musical diversity, as organizers hope to educate students on real hip-hop as opposed to the mainstream Lil' Kim-esque variations that have driven many away from the art form. One of the events will be a workshop this afternoon hosted by Devin Robinson, "Sexual Hip-Hop," addressing the sociological effects of mainstream hip-hop on our romantic and sexual relationships. The highlight of the symposium will be Saturday's concert by prominent hip-hop artist Jean Grae.

Jean Grae, whose real name is Tsidi Ibrahim, will be bringing her unique style to Harris on March 1. She has made tracks with the likes of The Roots, Immortal Technique, and Atmosphere. A graduate of New York University, she has put out five albums, including a new one this year entitled Jeanius. She diverts from mainstream female hip-hop artists by not conforming to blatant sexual expressiveness. The concert will be followed up with a week of more events including workshops and movie showings (see sidebar).

"This is only two weeks; we only hit the surface of hip-hop," said Porter. "I honestly contemplated making it a month, but I would die and fail and you'd see me here another semester."