Why do some messages begin in very localised communities yet go on to influence much wider audiences? In this session, we will reflect on this phenomena by considering Hip Hop’s surprising movement from a neighbourhood cultural expression to a global force of communication. We will explore how credibility forms when audiences are distrustful of institutions, why authenticity carries unusual weight in certain environments, and several principles of communication that 'travel well'. These include emotionally honest storytelling, rhythm and repetition as memory scaffolding, symbolic identifiers that build belonging, and community-generated meaning and participation.
