Summer School students dive into beats

Overhead view of record player. — (Photos by Donn Young/UNC College of Arts and Sciences)

The Carolina Hip Hop Institute ran May 20-31 in the UNC Beat Lab, hosted by the College of Arts and Sciences’ music department through the UNC Summer School.

Student looks through vinyl collection, organized by two shelves.

Student Mikaila Thompson looks at a vinyl record in the Beat Lab. (Donn Young/UNC College of Arts and Sciences)

To develop skills in rap, beatmaking or DJ-ing, students chose from one of three courses: The Art and Culture of the DJ, Beat Making Lab or Rap Lab. Each class day featured a focused session with the teachers followed by jam sessions and discussions among the three classes.

Professor Maya Shipman (Suzi Analogue) and another instructor work with a student in the Beat Lab at the Carolina Hip Hop Institute summer 2024.

Student Mason Wasik is pictured with teaching assistant professor Maya Shipman and her co-instructor who is known as VSPRTN. (Donn Young/UNC College of Arts and Sciences)

The institute is led by teaching assistant professor Maya Shipman (professionally known as Suzi Analogue). A chart-topping prolific producer, songwriter and composer, she is also the musical director of the UNC Hip Hop Ensemble.

A male instructor leans over a male student wearing headphones at a laptop in the Beat Lab.

Instructor VSPRTN helps student Briar Rose. (Donn Young/UNC College of Arts and Sciences)

In an Endeavors magazine story on the Beat Lab, Analogue said she works continuously to make sure the lab’s equipment is up to date.

Professor Maya Shipman, known as Suzi Analogue, smiles at the camera while giving the peace sign with both hands.

(Donn Young/UNC College of Arts and Sciences)

“Hopefully, the Beat Lab serves as an example of how we can make music creation more equitable and accessible in our world and use it as a point for unity and diplomacy for different communities,” she says.

A male instructor leans over a male student wearing headphones at a laptop.

Instructor VSPRTN helps student Briar Rose. (Donn Young/UNC College of Arts and Sciences)

The institute draws its instructors, structure and philosophy from the Next Level international hip-hop exchange program developed by professor Mark Katz. That program recently celebrated its 10th year.

A male student wearing earbuds sits in front of a keyboard.

Student Brooks Farabow at the Hip Hop Institute. (Donn Young/ UNC College of Arts and Sciences)

Students explore the Beat Lab all year as a community space where musicians can use a wide variety of DJ gear, electronic music tools and digital resources to practice, create and collaborate in making music.