64 | What is Aesthetics? Part II. How Does it Feel to be a Problem, Hip Hop Nation? W/ Dr. Michael Thomas

What's Left of Philosophy

In this episode, we are joined by Michael Thomas to talk about Black aesthetics and hip hop in particular. We work through what it means for hip hop to be a 'problem space' that reconstructs the cultural contradictions and political messaging of a racist society in a way that is not essentializing and that aspires to address social problems without producing easy answers. Main themes include hip hop's form, vibe, and story-telling capacity across generations.
leftofphilosophy.com | @leftofphil
References:
Michael Thomas, "Singing Experience in Section.80", in Kendrick Lamar and the Making of Black Meaning, eds. Christopher M. Driscoll, Monica R. Miller, and Anthony B. Pinn (New York: Routledge, 2019)
Paul C. Taylor, "Black Reconstruction in Aesthetics", Debates in Aesthetics 15.2 (2020): 9-47
Lissa Skitolsky, Hip-Hop as Philosophical Text and Testimony: Can I Get a Witness? (Lanham: Lexington Books, 2020)
The five of us put together a playlist for this episode!
Big K.R.I.T. feat. Devin The Dude, Curren$y, and Killa Kyleon, “Moon & Stars”
Gary Clark Jr., “This Land”
GZA feat. Method Man, “Shadowboxin’”
Kanye West, “Blood on the Leaves”
Little Simz, “Venom”
Lupe Fiasco, “WAV Files”
Makaveli, “To Live And Die in L.A.”
Mobb Deep, “Shook Ones, Pt. II”
Nas, “N.Y. State of Mind”
Nicki Minaj, “All Things Go”
Nicki Minaj, “Here I Am”
Saba feat. Day Wave, “2012”
Vince Staples, “Like It Is”
Young Money, “Lookin Ass”
Music: Vintage Memories by Schematist | schematist.bandcamp.com