At Rowan University, there are a variety of clubs, but one of the most welcoming clubs is the Rowan Hip Hop Culture Club. 

The club wants to educate students about the music, lifestyle, fashion, and politics of hip-hop and to create a well-built community to honor hip-hop culture. 

While the organization is a part of Black culture, it strives to be inclusive with everyone who wants to join. 

Yashira Guzman is a junior music major and is the president of the Rowan Hip Hop Culture Club. 

“We try to make sure that it is a welcoming space,” said Guzman. “Our organization is hip hop and it is a part of Black culture, but that doesn’t mean it’s just a strictly black organization. Anybody can enjoy and come together.”

Nyrah Wardlow-Matthews is also a junior music major and is the vice president of the Rowan Hip Hop Culture Club. He spoke about how the club will allow you to showcase your creative side and will show you how to be collaborative with others. 

“We do everything creative you can think of,” said Wardlow-Matthews. “There’s even so much more that we haven’t done that we’re trying to do for this semester and the following semester. I would say definitely creative and collaborative as well. In all of our meetings, you can come. You might not have been to any of our meetings, but best believe you’re networking, you’re meeting someone new.”

The club is different from other clubs at Rowan University in having a tight-knit community and being able to think of new ideas for the club.

“I would have to say overall we have a great community,” said Guzman. “I feel like we’re very versatile when it comes to everything we do we sometimes will bring out guest speakers and have workshops that way students can learn how to make a beat or just, understand business careers within the music industry and just get insight from an industry professional.” 

The club was created to have artists display their passion in a group setting. 

“When we first created it was something that we all felt needed to be on campus,” said Guzman. “It was also a thing that would benefit us in a way to be able to have that community of people who enjoy listening to the music.” 

During the meetings, one of the main talking points is current events in the hip-hop industry. 

“We’ll basically talk about current events,” said Wardlow-Matthews. “We’ll talk about it. Have the floor open if anyone wants to say one of my favorite artists drop that, and we’ll have that discussion.”

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email arts@thewhitonline.com