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Past Talks & More | Artist Talks
$20 general public$13 members$15 adults 55 and overFree for students
Prices include all fees; fees waived for members and in-person purchases.
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Explore the hip-hop archive through music and conversation with producers Pete Rock and J Rawls.
Join legendary record producer Pete Rock and Ohio State faculty, producer, and DJ J Rawls as they dig in the crates—exploring the early days of hip-hop and looking to the future of the art form. Hear the beats that have set the tone for contemporary hip-hop while tracking the history and culture surrounding the movement.
Using turntables and an Akai MPC2000XL drum machine, Pete Rock will break down some of his classic beats and share a few stories about his time working with icons across genres including The Notorious B.I.G., TLC, and Lady Gaga. Demonstration, collective listening, and conversation will give you insights into the artistic practice of music producing, as well as an appreciation for the producers and their craft. An audience Q&A follows the conversation.
Join J Rawls, Pete Rock, and DJ BeatBanguz on September 26 at Land-Grant Beer Garden for Salve! Season 3, an evening of dance, culture, community, and incredible music. The DJ sets start at 8 PM and will include an electrifying mix of hip-hop, Brazilian, house, funk, reggae, jazz, dance, disco, afro-beat, and soul. Tickets available at landgrantbrewing.com.
IMAGE CAPTIONLeft to right: J Rawls, photo: Madeby. Kai; Pete Rock, courtesy of the speaker.
Pete Rock, born in the Bronx and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, is one of hip-hop’s most influential producers. Introduced to the industry by Heavy D, he and CL Smooth delivered three classic albums. With a Grammy win and production credits across hip-hop, R&B, rock, pop, and jazz, his legacy spans decades. He has toured globally, crafting timeless beats that unite listeners and transcend genre boundaries. His signature jazz-infused sound has shaped hip-hop production, earning him respect as both a creator and a global icon.
Dr. Jason Rawls is an avid educator with almost two decades of K–12 teaching experience and 10 years of higher education teaching experience. He has presented workshops on the music industry, hip-hop education, and beat making at several major universities around the country. Also a producer and DJ (professionally known as J Rawls), he first gained national prominence for his production work on Mos Def and Talib Kweli’s Black Star project, including the songs “Brown Skin Lady” and “Yo, Yeah.”
American Electric Power Foundation
CoverMyMeds
Huntington
Mike and Paige Crane
Greater Columbus Arts Council
The Wexner Family
Ohio Arts Council, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts
CampusParc
The Columbus Foundation
Every Page Foundation
Mellon Foundation
Axium Packaging
Nationwide Foundation
Michael and Anita Goldberg
Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease LLP
Joyce Shenk
Rebecca Perry and Ben Towle
Lachelle Thigpen
Past Talks & More
Pete Rock and J Rawls
