To preface this, I had no idea where to post this, but I believed this forum would reach the widest base of posters. Mods, please move this thread if this is not the proper location. Anyway, I plan to primarily apply for the business major at my college and am leaning towards a music minor as well. However, the music I wish to pursue is Hip-hop/rap, and as such I do not know if it would be worth my time to pursue a minor when I presume much of the curriculum is not on that. To be specific, I wish to pursue “rap performance”, and not simple a historical analysis of the subject. While learning about music in general would help, my gut says that a music minor would probably help a classical musician more than a rapper. In terms of seriousness, I do have a decent amount of listeners online and have had offers from producers to work with me, so having a rap career may be difficult, but not impossible. In short, should I pursue a music minor or considering my interests would it be a waste of time?
You should try to find online a list of the courses required for a music minor at any school of interest. Personally, I doubt you will find what you are seeking in a traditional music minor. Most seem to be more academic in nature vs performance, and will generally include things like music theory, aural skills, etc. It is hard enough to find music schools with programs that offer any sort of contemporary/rock music component, so I think rap would be even harder to find.
You might look at schools that have a music business or music industry degree or minor, however. That might be of interest.
Here is an article on the educational backgrounds of well-known rappers; http://study.com/articles/Rap_and_Hip_Hop_Stars_Who_Went_to_College.html
Here is a hip hop studies diploma program/ or minor http://www.mcnallysmith.edu/degrees-programs/hip-hop
I would suggest talking a look at Columbia College Chicago http://www.colum.edu/dance-center/performances/2014-15/b-rooted/index.php
Of course you can major in almost anything and still continue your work in rap.
Try some theory, or buy a book, to see what you think. Many schools now have courses in rap/hip hop but you are right, they tend to be academic.
A school with independent work like Bennington (which has a field work term too) or Hampshire might appeal too.
Are you a senior in high school or already in college? Just wanted to clarify.
You’re unlikely to find what you’re looking for in a music minor. Usually a music minor consists of music theory, music history, and some performance classes (which are usually classical or jazz).
I would just recommend taking whatever music courses are of interest to you. Many schools have classes on recording music, music editing, and creating electronic music, for example. Some of those may be of interest to you.
Can you read music?
I agree with the above.
However, I would like to add that even though most music minors at college won’t be focused on rap or hip hop (but instead on classical music) that doesn’t mean they won’t be worth studying or worth your time.
The greatest rappers/hip hop artists in our history were influenced by LOTS of different kinds of music and art forms, including classical. If you read or listen to interviews, diaries, and other media given by rappers, you’ll find that what unifies the great rappers/hip hop artists is a general deep love for music of all kinds and a broad love of art.
I mean, I’m not saying that most emcees sit around listening to Tchaikovsky or anything, but most emcees do have a general appreciation of music as an art form and how different genres blend and work together to make awesome hits. And a general technical understanding of music can improve your production and skill.
Are you already in college? You might want to talk to some of the music professors at your college to see what they say.
It’s true. And all of the great producers incorporate elements of jazz, oldies, classical, etc to make timeless tracks. DJ Premier is the first one who comes to mind.