E-mail a friendJuly 14, 2005
Cultural critic Bakari Kitwana explains the backstory of his new book, Why White Kids Love Hip Hop. Veteran film composer Danny Elfman describes the influence of his time in West Africa on his music.
Bakari Kitwana
Bakari Kitwana
Writer Bakari Kitwana is an acknowledged expert on youth culture and hip-hop politics and activism. The author of The Hip Hop Generation and Why White Kids Love Hip Hop, he co-founded the first-ever National Hip-Hop Political Convention. He's lectured at Harvard and other colleges and universities around the country. Kitwana was previously the executive editor of the hip-hop music magazine The Source and editorial director of Third World Press. His articles have appeared in many publications including the Village Voice.
Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman
Danny Elfman is a much-sought-after film composer. His credits include the theme music for TV's The Simpsons and Desperate Housewives and scores for Beetlejuice, both Men in Black films, Batman - for which he won a Grammy - and the new remake of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Elfman grew up in L.A. and, at age 18, moved to France. With his brother, he formed the eclectic rock band Oingo Boingo. With his work on director Tim Burton's Pee-Wee's Big Adventure, Elfman made the transition from bandleader to film composer.