Workshop: "Education & Empowerment through Hip Hop"
This workshop explores lyrics in both popular and underground hip hop music that promotes education and goal setting. Participants will examine lyrics and their importance. Examining beyond the radio and lyrical aspect, to the importance of how embracing education, understanding literature and aspects of the entertainment business can be difficult without education. Specific areas of literature involve the ability to read and understand contracts and literature in the entertainment industry; these will be examined. Connecting the music to the business for the participant wanting to see how artistry helps you understand more of what you need to learn. Students will also be given sample contracts to examine and in groups write rhymes to teach about it.
Derrick “J.O.D” Washington was born in Columbia, South Carolina. “J.O.D.” is emerging as a fixture in Hip Hop scene, growing ever so much in the Dirty South! After graduating and establishing himself as a master barber, J.O.D infused himself into the music industry! His love for music and the entertainment industry sparked from there! J.O.D credits his upbringing and several artists in helping establish himself as an artist! J.O.D. grew up in a single parent household and encountered violence, struggle and other perils that youth deal with today. He stays true to his “Dreams turns to goals; goals turn into reality”. J.O.D.’s music and writing is grounded in reality. J.O.D. credits the late Tupac Shakur for awakening his musical curiosity and has been equally inspired by several other major artists. As an songwriter, artist, and composer, J.O.D. has performed in numerous venues, programs and talent showcases throughout the southeast.
J.O.D has been identified as an artist to watch in music articles for Niche Magazine and the Metro Weekly in Columbia, South Carolina. He has been featured on the popular syndicated weekly South Carolina based radio show “On Point with Cynthia Hardy”; speaking on the influence of Rap and Hip Hop with today’s urban youth. J.O.D. produced and released his first project entitled “Married 2 Da Game Vol 1” in 2008 featuring the hits “When I Hustle” and “Candyrain”. J.O.D.’s current project is “MTM-The Album”. He currently has the smash hit “Rise Up” on iTunes, Google Play, Title, YouTube, and Soundcloud media outlets.
He compliments his passion for music with mentorship. He started his mentorship programs at his alma mater, Eau Claire High School, nearly 10 years ago. Currently, J.O.D. continues mentorship at Georgia State University through the Early College Program specifically targeting inner city youth in Atlanta, Georgia. In his native city, Columbia, South Carolina, he has performed in several middle schools for mentorship and outreach through the YMCA after school programs. J.O.D. is a pillar in the community and focuses on empowerment with youth of all walks of life!
Music: "Rise Up" Single on I-Tunes
Youtube: Youtube/j.o.d music
IG: @jodmusicatl
This workshop explores lyrics in both popular and underground hip hop music that promotes education and goal setting. Participants will examine lyrics and their importance. Examining beyond the radio and lyrical aspect, to the importance of how embracing education, understanding literature and aspects of the entertainment business can be difficult without education. Specific areas of literature involve the ability to read and understand contracts and literature in the entertainment industry; these will be examined. Connecting the music to the business for the participant wanting to see how artistry helps you understand more of what you need to learn. Students will also be given sample contracts to examine and in groups write rhymes to teach about it.
Derrick “J.O.D” Washington was born in Columbia, South Carolina. “J.O.D.” is emerging as a fixture in Hip Hop scene, growing ever so much in the Dirty South! After graduating and establishing himself as a master barber, J.O.D infused himself into the music industry! His love for music and the entertainment industry sparked from there! J.O.D credits his upbringing and several artists in helping establish himself as an artist! J.O.D. grew up in a single parent household and encountered violence, struggle and other perils that youth deal with today. He stays true to his “Dreams turns to goals; goals turn into reality”. J.O.D.’s music and writing is grounded in reality. J.O.D. credits the late Tupac Shakur for awakening his musical curiosity and has been equally inspired by several other major artists. As an songwriter, artist, and composer, J.O.D. has performed in numerous venues, programs and talent showcases throughout the southeast.
J.O.D has been identified as an artist to watch in music articles for Niche Magazine and the Metro Weekly in Columbia, South Carolina. He has been featured on the popular syndicated weekly South Carolina based radio show “On Point with Cynthia Hardy”; speaking on the influence of Rap and Hip Hop with today’s urban youth. J.O.D. produced and released his first project entitled “Married 2 Da Game Vol 1” in 2008 featuring the hits “When I Hustle” and “Candyrain”. J.O.D.’s current project is “MTM-The Album”. He currently has the smash hit “Rise Up” on iTunes, Google Play, Title, YouTube, and Soundcloud media outlets.
He compliments his passion for music with mentorship. He started his mentorship programs at his alma mater, Eau Claire High School, nearly 10 years ago. Currently, J.O.D. continues mentorship at Georgia State University through the Early College Program specifically targeting inner city youth in Atlanta, Georgia. In his native city, Columbia, South Carolina, he has performed in several middle schools for mentorship and outreach through the YMCA after school programs. J.O.D. is a pillar in the community and focuses on empowerment with youth of all walks of life!
Music: "Rise Up" Single on I-Tunes
Youtube: Youtube/j.o.d music
IG: @jodmusicatl
