April 4, 2003

COVERING THE ISSUES
Creating Album Covers That Reflect Students' Political and Social Concerns

Grades:  6-8, 9-12

Subjects:  Civics, Fine Arts

Related New York Times Article
"Furor Over Rapper's Cover-Art Statement, By NEIL STRAUSS", April 4, 2003

Overview of Lesson Plan:: In this lesson, students will learn about how art and music can be powerful tools for conveying a political or social message. After considering the issues surrounding rapper Paris's latest album, students will design their own album covers that reflect their political and/or social concerns.

SUGGESTED TIME ALLOWANCE:   45 minutes - 1 hour

OBJECTIVES:
Students will:

  1. Respond to the album cover of rapper Paris's newest album.
  2. Learn about rapper Paris's controversial new album by reading and discussing the article "Furor Over Rapper's Cover-Art Statement."
  3. In pairs, research a political or social issue and create album covers that reflect student concerns over a particular issue.
  4. Write lyrics for one of the songs on the album; assemble album covers.

RESOURCES / MATERIALS:

ACTIVITIES / PROCEDURES:

  1. WARM-UP/DO NOW: Prior to class, place a picture of Paris's album cover on each student's desk, labeled on the top with an "A," "B," or "C." As class begins, students respond in their journals to the following prompt (written on the board prior to class): "Look at the picture on your desk. Respond to this album cover from the perspective of one of the following people (depending on the letter that appears on your paper):"
    A- a record label executive
    B- a record store owner
    C- a consumer
    "Would you produce/carry/buy this album? Why or why not?" After giving students a few minutes to write, have some students from each group share their answers with the class.
    Conduct a short discussion, using the following questions as a guideline: What do you think the artist is trying to convey with the picture? Do you think that this art is within the rights of free speech?
  2. As a class, read the article "Furor Over Rapper's Cover-Art Statement," focusing on the following questions:
    1. Describe the art on the cover of Paris's new album.
    2. What is the title of Paris's newest album?
    3. How have record companies reacted to this album?
    4. How was Paris received when his first album came out? How have responses to him changed over the years?
    5. How will Paris sell his newest album?
    6. What information is on Paris's Web site?
  3. As a class, brainstorm social and political issues (on a global, national, or local level) that are meaningful to students, such as the war in Iraq, clean air, or teenage drug abuse. In pairs, students choose one of the issues from the class brainstorm. Students research this issue and write a one-paragraph statement summarizing the issue based on the information they find in their research. Then pairs create an album cover design that reflects their feelings on this issue and the information they learned. The design need not be deliberately provocative (as Paris's "Sonic Jihad" cover is), but should communicate some of the concerns that students have over this issue. The album cover should include:
  4. WRAP-UP/HOMEWORK: Before the end of class, each student in the pair chooses one of the song titles from the album cover. At home, students write the lyrics to their chosen songs. In a later class, groups reconvene and assemble their album covers, including the lyrics to individual songs, and display them in the classroom.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

EVALUATION / ASSESSMENT:
Students will be evaluated on completion of journal, participation in class discussion, participation in group cover design, and completion of song lyrics.

VOCABULARY:
cameos, depicts, dialogue, capitalizing, attribution, shun, contender, marginalized, diatribe, blunted, rails, payola, provocateur, exploitation, objectifying

EXTENSION ACTIVITIES:

  1. Since the invasion of Iraq began, several incidents of people expressing what where described as anti-war or anti-American sentiments have received media attention. Find out the circumstances behind one such incident, such as Congressman Kucinich (D-OH) or reporters Peter Arnett or Geraldo Rivera. Write a response to this event, focusing on the following questions: Do you think that what this person said was wrong? Why or why not? Do you think that the action taken against this person was appropriate? Do you think that an American political figure, reporter, or entertainer has the responsibility to be "patriotic" for the sake of national security or morale? Do you think that freedom of speech should be restricted during wartime? Why or why not?
  2. Go to Paris's Web site ( http://www.guerillafunk.com). Choose one of the social or political topics addressed on the site, such as African worker exploitation or the negative effects of hip-hop videos, and learn more about it. Then write your own article on the topic, agreeing with or challenging Paris's views, as well as providing additional information on the topic. Submit your article to Paris's Web site.
  3. Learn about the history behind a banned album, song, book, or work of art. Why was it banned? Where was it banned? Under what circumstances was the ban lifted (if it has been)? Create a poster with an image of the banned work of art (or an excerpt if it is a song or book), along with the information you find.
  4. Watch the video "Aftermath" at ( http://www.guerrillafunk.com/video/aftermath.html) excerpt on Paris's Web site. Then create your own list of unanswered questions regarding September 11, 2001. After seeking answers to these questions from friends, community members, government officials, and others, compile your questions and possible answers and publish them in your local or school newspaper.

INTERDISCIPLINARY CONNECTIONS:
Economics- Compare record distribution and sales of albums produced on major labels, independent labels, and self-produced albums. Create a poster with graphs comparing items such as total distribution, total sales, average price per album, advertising expenses, and other relevant information. Also learn about how each distribution method affects the artist, including issues such as percentage of profit the artist receives, creative control, and other such issues. Based on your research, create a list of tips for artists about which medium is the best way to produce an album.

Global History- Learn about the origin and history of the Islamic jihad. What does the word mean? What historical wars has Islam considered to be jihads? What misunderstandings or differences of opinion (within the Islamic community and in the world at large) exist regarding the concept of jihad? Write an article for your school or local paper based on your findings.

Media Studies- Entertainers often use the captive audience at awards ceremonies (The Grammys, the Oscars, etc.) to make political statements on issues about which they feel strongly. Create a timeline noting as many of these incidents as you can find throughout the history of this awards ceremony. Include excerpts of the speeches, as well as pictures (if the entertainer was wearing a specific type of clothing or emblem as part of his or her statement). Also include short notes about reactions to this incident, including how it affected the entertainer's career.

Technology- Learn about how digital photographs, such as the one on the cover of "Sonic Jihad," are created from composite images. Then create your own composite digital photograph, depicting a scene that combines unrelated or disparate elements. You may choose to use your image as a political statement, as Paris did, or you may simply want to use the opportunity to experiment with the medium.

Copyright 2003
The New York Times Company

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