ABSTRACT
Experiential knowledge regarding the power and potential of hip-hop culture to support one’s development has led a handful scholars to advocate for its cultural complexities and to push back against stereotypical perceptions that portray it as solely violent and misogynistic. Hip-hop-based approaches to education have become more present in teacher education literature and practice. This introduction also presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores how a set of hip-hop cultural guidelines for being genuine can help counselors engage in essential self-work necessary to respond to lack of realness or authenticity youth of color feel in session. It explores how hip-hop mixtapes offer a framework for a culturally sensitive group counseling process, referred to as the Critical Cycle of Mixtape Creation, wherein students compose emotionally themed mixtapes to support them in critically analyzing, researching and reporting on issues of personal importance to them.
