Top 5 2013 A3C panels and lectures
Get schooled by hip-hop academics and innovators
In between Ghostface Killah and Questlove, check out the rest of what A3C has to offer on its educational side. The festival hosts a series of seminars and panels about hip-hop and working in the music industry, from academia on hip-hop's cultural transcendence to beat-making classes. A3C is beefing up its academic conference this year with Q&As with producers !llmind and DJ Burn One, lectures from Talib Kweli, music journalists, and more. Here are our top picks.
The Overlap: Music & Technology
Award-winning producer/songwriter Jermaine Dupri and social technology expert James Andrews lead a conversation about music technology and hip-hop within digital culture. Wed., Oct. 2, 5 p.m. Melia Hotel, 590 W. Peachtree St.
Growing Up Hip-Hop
An academic symposium exploring hip-hop's educational and cultural roles over the past 30 years. Hosted by Murray Forman, Northeastern University communication studies professor and hip-hop expert. Thurs., Oct. 3, 4 p.m. Melia Hotel, 590 W. Peachtree St.
Defense of the Mixtape
Music consumption has changed dramatically since the '80s, when mixtapes were king. This panel explores the mixtape's history and whether the medium is still relevant today. Fri., Oct. 4, 1 p.m. Melia Hotel, 590 W. Peachtree St.
Beat Critique
Aspiring musicians can sign up for a spot in this six-session series of workshops, where "industry tastemakers" give constructive feedback on a 90-second snippet. Space is limited for the workshops, so sign up early at registration if you want a chance at getting in. Fri.-Sat., Oct. 4-5, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. SAE Institute, 215 Peachtree St.
New Sound of Atlanta
Featuring promising producers like the Fr3shmen, Sonny Digital, and Black Metaphor, this panel investigates the local musical movement #NewAtlanta and its future. Sun., Oct. 6, 2:30 p.m. SAE Institute, 215 Peachtree St.
— Sonam Vashi