Yassin ‘ NARCY ‘ Alsalman in his H-110 Classroom. His Hip-Hop courses have entered their first decade of work. His work at Concordia University reached viral headlines when he taught his classes on Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Dave Chappelle and Spike Lee.
FFAR: Beats, Rhymes & Life
Yassin’s first classes dealt with the creative practice. Its attempts were to unlock the artist in all students through critical assignments on art and space, as well as a final art project that ranged in mediums.
Bigger Than Hip-Hop - Power of Us
Yassin’s second class dealt with the identity politics of Hip-Hop. Using the same lense of his masters thesis The Diatribes of a Dying Tribe, Yassin helped examine the difficult issues youth face - from racial to social - through the lens of the culture and its practitioners, as well as its historical relevance in the story of the Americas.
FFAR: KANYE vs YE - Genius By Design
Focused on Kanye West’s work and personal trajectory, this viral class made international headlines for being the first of its kind. Exploring alternative forms of success, public anarchy, mental health, industry pressures and economic freedom - this class fell simultaneously with Kanye’s name change, public feud and dissolution with brand partnerships.
FFAR: Artist in Focus: Kendrick Lamar
This class focused on Kendrick’s story arc and work. With video screenings, class discussions / seminars and artistic breakdowns, Yassin discussed the following: love, family trauma, grief, adultery, visual identity, fatherhood and emancipation.
FFAR: THE KINDNESS CONSPIRACY - TEAM CHAPPELLE
In this Artist in Focus, Yassin focused on the idea of community building as currency, kindness as a conspiracy to change the world and the Chappelle Show series - how it changed the idea of anti-establishment work and how truth can sometimes be a difficult pill to swallow. With Classes on The Roots, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Blackstar and Special guest Donnell Rawlings.
FFAR: A Spike Lee Joint
With viewings of Do The Right Thing, Bamboozled, Malcolm X, Jungle Fever and More - this discussion heavy class touched on the topics the films unfurled, from American Martyrdom to Love and Taboo, Communities and Violence and Racial Representation in the Media. All students were encouraged to end their semester with a Film Synopsis - a pitch for the future.
