Black History Month Rap Contest: Meet the Finalists
In honor of Black History Month, we’re inviting students to be the researchers, lyricists and rappers. Students from all over the country selected under-recognized Black historical figures for their song lyrics. Take a look at the awesome finalists and lines from their creative entries.
Looking to bring relevant resources into your classroom? Use these lessons to explore Black historical figures and events year-round.
Elementary School Winner
“What if it was us living that time right now
She saw the bodies hanging from the trees
As the people cried their tears with ease
The cross burning from over the lake
She and her family staying up late
The fear and worry took over the south
But Hamer had to find a way out
I don’t think I could if it was me right now
But she made it somehow, she had hope
All the people would rise from under Jim Crow”
Secondary School Winner
“Till their death, J.W. and Roy lived happily
Emmett’s Ma, Mamie, died in 2003
Never got so much as a simple apology
But that’s how things go in black history
But Emmett became a catalyst for civil rights
So everyone can be equal, like the blacks and the whites
And he has been mentioned in all the peaceful fights
And the first black to testify in Mississippi was Moses Wright”
Elementary School Finalists
“The streets were filled with people like me
As we marched downtown, making history
I waited for the other shoe to drop
In those first few minutes, no one said, “Stop!”
Hi, did you call me? I’m Ida B. Wells,
And in my life I went through hell of hells.
Born in 1862,
I was a slave, different rights than you.
My race was a problem, chains made for me–
but I was freed when I was only three.”
“She had a dream to breach the skies; you could see it all in her eyes
A lot of confidence she would need; that ultimately she would succeed
She applied to be an astronaut; but due to a space disaster for now she would not
She tried again and reapplied; this time she would get a ticket to the skies so wide
NASA gave her the opportunity; the first black woman to go to space from humanity”
Secondary School Finalists
“Chuck Brown
He’s a Musical Legend,
A Match Made In Heaven
And he changed the way that music is seen,
Yeah, he brought the soul right back to D.C.
And he left us with a GREAT LEGACY!”
“After fighting and fighting she won her case
Got custody for her son with love and grace
In the future she did so much more
For women’s rights she knocked down many doors
In 1851 she spoke about black women struggles
And soon her publicity started double
On her tombstone it she says she died at 105
I hope she knows that her dream is still alive”
Thank you to everyone that submitted an entry. The learning should not stop when Black History Month ends. These themes and topics can enrich cross-curricular learning all year round. That’s why we’ve updated the contest page so you can access the rap-writing lesson at any time.
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