The MC Hammer Lesson

Goals: 
1.  The Learner Will Be Able To get a catchy rap tune from the early '90s stuck in his/her head.
2.  TLWBAT write and choreograph a rap song in groups.

Materials needed:  1 tape/video/CD of "2 Legit 2 Quit," 1 pair parachute pants

"Hook":  Enter classroom wearing parachute pants.  Dance for a few minutes (whether or not you have musical accompaniment is at your discretion), making sure to use a few of Hammer's signature moves.

Presentation:  Give MC Hammer's biographical information.  You may need to write unfamiliar words, such as "Oaktown," "entourage," and "bankruptcy" on the board.  Play "2 Legit 2 Quit," having students fill in missing words on sheet of paper.

Practice:  Explain unclear words, discuss themes of the song.  You may want to give the students discussion questions to help them digest the material.  For example:
1.  Define, in your own words, what "legit" means.
2.  What does the term "get buck" mean to you?  And why is it accompanied (in the video) by the "ride the pony" dance?
3.  Are you 2 Legit 2 Quit, or do you think that you will most likely quit sometime?  Explain.

If you have the video rather than the tape/CD, here are some more:
1.  Why are there so many Atlanta Falcons in the video?  Are they 2 Legit 2 Quit?  Could Hammer have featured some football players who were more legit?
2.  What do you think of the dancer with the triangular hair?  Is that freaky, or what?

Production:  Divide the class into posses of four or five.  Have each group write a rap song, using "2 Legit 2 Quit" as a template, if necessary.  You may want to give guidelines as far as topics and words/gestures they may or may not use.  If it is a beginner class, you may want to give them a fill-in-the-blank song.  If there is time, have them choreograph the song they have written, and perform it next class.