News & Announcements

Hip Hop in Africa - Dr. Msia Clark

Friday, October 12, 2018, 6:00 pm, Berkman Hall, Room 136
(followed by a reception in the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, BH 137)

Special note: A book signing will take place from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm in BH 137

A CURTIS WILSON LECTURE:  “HIP HOP IN AFRICA:  PROPHETS OF THE CITY AND DUSTYFOOT PHILOSOPHERS” BY DR. MSIA CLARK


The Curtis Wilson Lecture at Cleveland State University commemorates the legacy of Professor Curtis Wilson, a former Director of the Black Studies Program.  On October 12, 2018, Dr. Msia Clark will discuss her ground breaking work, Hip Hop in Africa:  Prophets of the City and Dustyfoot Philosophers, at 6:00 pm in Berkman Hall (formerly the Main Classroom Building), Room 136.  A book signing will take place in the Howard A. Mims African American Cultural Center, BH 137, at 5:00 pm, while a Bridges to Africa reception at 7:30 pm in BH 137 will follow her lecture.  The reception will allow Dr. Clark a chance to discuss with the community the exhibition of her photographs on display in the Center that depict the elements of Hip Hop in Africa.

Dr. Msia Kibona Clark is an Associate Professor in the Department of African Studies at Howard University. She is originally from Tanzania and received her doctorate in African Studies from Howard University. Her work has focused on popular culture, migration, and gender studies in Africa. Dr. Clark has written numerous scholarly publications on hip-hop’s intersections with social change, gender, and politics in Africa. She has published three edited manuscripts and over a half dozen articles and book chapters on hip hop in Africa, as well as African migrant experiences. Her book Hip-Hop in Africa: Prophets of the City & Dustyfoot Philosophers is the first scholarly work to address hip-hop culture across Africa. Dr. Clark teaches a course on Hip Hop & Social Change in Africa at Howard University, and she produces the Hip Hop African blog and monthly podcast hosted at hiphopafrican.com.