Limited to 25 participants

*due to the COVID-19 epidemic, we will be reinforcing hygienic practices and sanitizing the space before and after the workshop. All shared devices will be wiped down and disinfected.

Join us for this unique workshop that explores the intersectionality of Hip-Hop music, lyrical analysis, data science, live performance, and the technologies that connect them. Through the examination of lyrics by using a custom made coding software, and observation of local Hip-Hop practitioner using technological platforms for music production, workshop participants will view the craft of Hip Hop through the lens of El Paso’s most promising Mc’s and Producers through 21st century interactive tools.

Roberto Santos (AKA Tha Rap Analyzer) has been published in print and online publications such as Multicultural Education Magazine, Breakwater Review, The Rio Grande Review, Newspapertree, EP Culture Beat, and Mezcla 2. Roberto teaches English Composition, Literature, and Creative Writing at El Paso Community College. He is also co-founder of the Barbed Wire Open Mic Series, and serves as faculty advisor for the EPCC Universal Cypher Hip-Hop Student Organization. Roberto is also the founder of Rap Seminar, a lyrical analysis service that uses custom software to provide Mc’s and music enthusiasts qualitative data on literary techniques.

Billi Free represents the American Southwest as a vocalist/emcee, performer, DJ and beat producer whose sound is rooted in an eclectic blend of HipHop, soul and electronica.  Recent releases include, future soul/electronica album entitled I LUMA, an electronic/soul EP entitled CNJR, as one half of the duo BLK MGC, a  beat tape/film score entitled Room of Surfaces and a rap single “Nothing But A Lot”. She has opened for KRS-One, Black Milk, Jacob Banks and Xenia Rubinos.  In September 2019, A. Billi Free represented America on behalf of the US. Department of State as a cultural ambassador to Mongolia, teaching emcee workshops to aspiring Mongolian artists.