Hip-Hop Diploma Scholarship

The first college in the country to offer a diploma in Hip-Hop is looking for more B-girls to join its ranks. To help recognize the contributions women have made in Hip-Hop, McNally Smith College of Music has just announced a new three-semester scholarship program called “B-Girl Be Hip-Hop Diploma Scholarship” to cultivate the next great female practitioners of the popular worldwide music form. Applications can be made at the college from September 19 until March 1, 2010 for the 2010-2011 school year.

The “B-Girl Be Scholarship” is available to young women performers and non-performers, and will allow a student to receive half tuition (a $16,000 value) free of charge.  Scholarship review panelists will include representatives from B-Girl Be, Intermedia Arts, and McNally Smith College of Music.  The scholarship winner will also have to meet McNally Smith College of Music admissions requirements.

Toki Wright, coordinator of the music school’s Hip-Hop studies program — and an outstanding emcee, poet, community organizer and recording artist for Rhymesayers Entertainment — lauded the scholarship decision, saying it will validate even more the work of women in the genre.

“Often in the media, the many rewarding aspects and innovations of women in Hip-Hop are overshadowed by their male counterparts,” Wright says. “The ‘B-Girl Be Scholarship acknowledges that women’s contributions are important and essential to sustaining and expanding Hip-Hop culture. The work of MC Lyte, Tricia Rose, Queen Latifah, and countless industry representatives demonstrate the power, talent and tenacity it takes to make it in the culture and business of Hip-Hop. “

McNally Smith College of Music’s Hip-Hop Diploma program, dedicated to Hip Hop Studies, got underway this year with 14 Students who will make up the music school’s first Hip-Hop Class of 2010.  The leading program in the country is designed for students who want to explore and develop in a cross-departmental curriculum that covers music, recording technology, language, music history, and music business.

B-Girl Be Scholarship Details

When to Apply:

September 19th, 2009-March 1st, 2010
Essays must be received by 12 noon on March 1st

Submit:

• 2 page essay (typed in Times Roman 12-point font and single spaced) answering the question: “Why is it important to recognize women in Hip Hop?”
• Performers must submit 3.5 minutes audio or visual piece for submission (you need not be a performer to apply for this scholarship.  Address below.)

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Anticipate completion of high school diploma/GED at the time of application or a high school diploma/GED recipient
• Plan to pursue a Hip Hop Diploma at McNally Smith College of Music
• Carry a minimum 3.0 GPA at the end of their most recent academic year.  Those without a 3.0 GPA must submit an additional 1-2 page essay explanation.
• Essays (and audition piece if any) must be received my 12 noon on March 1, 2010.

Send your application, essay, (and audition piece if any) to:
 
McNally Smith College of Music
C/O Scholarships
19 Exchange St. E
St. Paul, MN

An overall scholarship application can be downloaded below.


If you have any additional questions contact Hip Hop Diploma Program Coordinator Toki Wright.