Buggin Malone raps, utilizes past
While everyone has a struggle, it's always a different story. Some artists choose music as an outlet to tell their stories. Buggin Malone, a Native American rapper from Wisconsin, came to OU's campus to share his story in hopes to educate listeners. "I try to educate through my music," he said. "But I use humor as well. It goes back to being raised in the city, it's powerful." But it wasn't always easy for Malone. He was incarcerated as a teen, and said that this has had a large impact on his music and religious beliefs. Politics and race are also topics Malone hopes to educate his listeners about. "This is American, we're still dealing with racial slurs," Malone said. "We're all human beings, and God would never turn us away for our color." It's something that Malone has seen firsthand, and comments that he has seen some of his friends' lifestyles change. "We're running out of people who care," he said. "I put my head down in shame, their identity is completely lost. I may not be hitting the trails, but I am (showing I care) musically." Sarah Ngoh, Adawe Life Plan advisor and instructor of arts and humanities, brought Malone to campus because she wants to support the university's commitment to diversity. She also feels that his music is a creative way to create dialogue. "I am teaching a first-year seminar this semester, and for a couple of the lessons plans we focused on various social justice movements in this country. As I was researching a YouTube video on the American Indian Movement to show in class, I came across a song by Buggin Malone called "Dedication to Leonard Peltier." I liked the message in the song, and researched Buggin. I then contacted him and asked if he'd be interested in performing at OU," she said. Some students think that the concert provided a positive atmosphere. "I think it's great that the university brought a concert series to campus," Autumn Romig, first year said. "It's something different, and I hope it's something that continues on campus. It was good to see an arts event on campus." An event that was meant to send a message to the student body. "I believe that celebrating and creating the opportunity for diversity is absolutely necessary at liberal arts institutions," Ngoh said. "I feel that Buggin demonstrated diversity, not just in his own identity but in his message as well. He raps about tolerance and struggle, and the importance of respecting people for who they are." And Ngoh thinks it did just that. "I think the concert went well," she said. "It was well attended, and people seemed to enjoy themselves. The audience seemed receptive to his message, even those who don't necessarily care for hip hop." After the concert, a talkback session was held in the union where students had the opportunity to meet Malone and talk about the messages he conveys though his music. "The environment felt safe, and Buggin was an approachable guy, so students were able to ask difficult questions and receive honest responses," Ngoh said. "I think the talkback session did what it was supposed to do: create more questions and, as a result, more dialogue." During the talkback session, Malone said music is what he felt he was truly called to do and has encouragement for those who want to share their stories. "Keep doing what you believe in, there's no stopping dreams," he said. "Music is harmony and life. Keep it natural."
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