Hip Hop Mogul: Defining interdisciplinary applied Hip Hop Entrepreneurial Scholarship in engineering, humanities, business, education, and information technology

Is there a difference between Jay Z and Warren Buffet? Or Sean Combs and Donald Trump?  Each of these individuals have something in common. They are industrialists. However, in Hip Hop, authenticity often dictates if you are going to be a purveyor of cool. Dr. Dre, Jay Z, Missy Elliot, and now, Lee Daniels, the creator of the hit TV show "Empire" all have been able to leverage the cool factor of Hip Hop Culture to amass fame and fortune within the context of mogulism.

Over the last 30 years, we've watched this phenomenon repeat itself over and over again with huge

success.  Now it's time to study how these individuals and others made it happen. Hence, the idea for this course. Now, as we discussed in class, in order to build Hip Hop scholarship, there must be an identifiable audience that would find value in course offerings that examine the business practices of pop culture figures.  I would like to know:

1. How would you market a course like this?
2. Who would be your target audience?
3. What social media tools would you use to promote or market the course?
   
4. Since its a lecture/applied learning course, what should be the course size in order to maximize impact?
5. When should it be offered?
6. What other course offering should be developed and offered within the context of Hip Hop and entrepreneurship?
7. What am I missing?

What is your role in defining what "The Internet of Things" can be?

Dan Kaufman/ATAP/GOOGLE

Dan Kaufman, Deputy Director of ATAP at Google gave us insight on thinking outside of the box and how "disruption" is a corner stone in mobility technology.  As I arrived at home after Dan's talk, a Google landrover was driving through my neighborhood collecting data for streetscapes in Google Earth and Maps.  It was exciting to see this car with a camera or sensors on top collecting data that we use to get around and see our life and others from around the world at the touch of a button.
But what does that mean in the larger scheme of things?  Does the global positioning of your home allow others from around the world to define who they think you are? Does it reinforce the status quo or reaffirm stereotypes?  Does it make humanity more skeptical or even humane?

Dr. Dre

How do we maintain humanity in technology. Dan talked about the smartphone not even being a phone with the computing power it poses. It could be used and is used as a threat to national security, even home security. The computer in our pockets have become the center point or "hub" of our life.  How will engineers keep advanced technologies humane? For example, how will bio engineering connect with info technology (the cloud) that integrates various nanotechnologies and machines such as automobiles to save lives? What will the user experience be? Who defines the authenticity of the user experience? Is"The Internet of Things" culturally based? Will it be? Who will define the culture?

In posing these questions, I think about Dr. Dre.

1. Did he have a vision beyond music?  What was it?
2. Was he thinking about disruption in his production style?  Did he have vision for products or improving them when he was a young street Dj?
3. What will "The Internet of Things" be for BEATS or the next tech start up that disrupts how smartphones are used in entertainment, medicine, and mobility? 

Check out
http://www.wired.com/insights/2014/11/the-internet-of-things-bigger/

Hip Hop America: How did Engineering and Technology first impact your life?

As a young man Dr. Dre demonstrated his love for technology in the form of DJing.  By learning how to control two turntables and a microphone, Dr. Dre became a celebrated music producer. In the last post I wanted to learn about your first Hip Hop experience. Now I want you to reflect back to your most memorable experiences and how engineering and technology played a role. 

Hip Hop America: Cultural Awareness

Culture is a key component of Hip Hop.  The regulatory practices of the elements i.e., Djing, Rapping, Breaking, Graffiti Art, and Knowledge demonstrate the cementing of popular activities that became cultural practices.

How did you learn about them, and what would you consider your first Hip Hop cultural experience?