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Talking politics with DJ gonZo

by Jen Walsh

Adam Culver loves both political theory and hip-hop, and he's filled his time at Grinnell with both.

Culver, a Political Science major from Arlington, W.Va., spent a semester working in parliament as part of the Grinnell-in-London program. He also did a MAP on the United Nations and international relations with Wayne Moyer, Political Science.

Next year, Culver will start a Ph.D. in Political Theory at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, M.D. "It's the frontiers of Political Science and Philosophy," he explained. "Johns Hopkins does a lot of work with 20th century French philosophy, but also classical political philosophy."

At Johns Hopkins, Culver hopes to work with political theorist William Connolly, who has done extensive work on Foucault, Nietzsche and St. Augustine. "He's written a lot of very interesting books," Culver said. "He does the stuff I'm interested in." Interestingly, Connolly spoke at Grinnell when Culver was a first year.

Culver said he was inspired to study political philosophy by classes he's taken with professors like Moyer; Brad Bateman, Economics; Eliza Willis, Political Science and Alan Schrift, Philosophy. He hopes to eventually become a professor. "There aren't a lot of jobs for political theorists out there," he said.

Culver has also been involved with DJing and hip-hop during his years at Grinnell. In addition to DJing at parties and shows during his time at Grinnell, Culver has had a show on KDIC for four years and served as hip-hop format director for the station. His DJ name is DJ gonZo, and his current show, with Nick Johnson '06, is called "Don't Do Drugs/Stay in School."

Some of Culver's most memorable Grinnell experiences are opening for DJs who have performed at Grinnell such as DJ P, who came to campus Culver's sophomore year, and r2d2, who was on campus his junior year. "They're two of my favorite DJs," Culver said.

Culver's interest in hip-hop began in high school. He got turntables his sophomore year at Grinnell and has been collecting records since. "It's a nice thing to do with your time," he said.

Culver will continue to be involved with hip-hop and DJing for "personal satisfaction and happiness," he said. "I will be spending plenty of time on the turntables at home by myself." He also plans to continue DJing at house parties and record a mix tape.

Political theory and DJing aren't everything to Culver, however. "My friends are very important in my life," he said. "I think that's what makes Grinnell a special place, and what has made my four years here very worthwhile."

"I'm a hard worker, but I also make sure I have plenty of fun," he continued. "That's how to sum up my Grinnell experience: lots of hard work, but also fun."

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