Hip-hop has always been ingrained with political advocacy, and on Tuesday, Feb. 10, Dave “Davey D” Cook connected the genre’s political roots from the Civil Rights Movement to this year’s Super Bowl halftime show.

The Bronx-born hip-hop historian and journalist spoke to students as part of the office of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement’s Black History Month programming. In the Hughes Trigg Oren Family Auditorium, Cook explained that the genre has always been rooted in political reality and the communities that embrace it.

“Where hip-hop is going is where the people are going,” said Cook.

Cook opened with his own experience, sharing that his own political education began with music.

“[I] heard Malcom X for the first time at a hip-hop concert,” Cook said.

His introduction to politics through hip-hop was not unusual. In the 80s and 90s, messages from the civil rights movement, from Malcom X, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Sonny Carson circulated through record stores, often layered over breakbeats. Through these messages, hip-hop gained its fifth element: knowledge.

But hip-hop isn’t simply used to spread a message. Cook noted that within hip-hop, not all artists approach political engagement the same way.

“There are two sides in the discussion about politics,” Cook said.

On the electoral side, artists have directly stepped into public office. Cook pointed to figures such as Maria Isa, now a Minnesota State Representative, and Ras Baraka, the current mayor of Newark, New Jersey.

Cook went on to highlight non-electoral engagement, referencing Mos Def’s “Hip Hop for Respect” album, which brought together over 30 artists in response to the shooting of Amadou Diallo. Diallo was an immigrant from Guinea living in New York City. He was unarmed and only 23 years old when four plainclothes New York City police officers shot him 41 times on Feb. 4, 1999.

For Cook, even this year’s Super Bowl halftime show served as evidence that hip-hop remains political, with Bad Bunny’s performance in Spanish and display of the phrase “the only thing more powerful than hate is love” on the jumbotron.

“[It] did what artists are supposed to do, get you talking,” Cook said.

Cook believes that despite perceived political polarization, “we’re led to believe that we are divided.” Even within the hip-hop community, the “regional beef is manufactured,” Cook said. Citing the recent beef between Kendrick and Drake, Cook pointed out that the two rappers are signed to the same record label.

For Cook, the antidote to division is community.

“The solution is to break bread with the people,” Cook said.

As the genre and influence continue to transcend across the world and become a global conversation, Cook emphasized the importance of being “culturally fluent in all communities.”

The event closed with a Q&A with the audience. Attendees asked about how hip-hop history can be used to connect with younger generations.

“We have to be intentional and willing to check in with each other,” Cook said.

Dr. Jennifer Jones, the executive director for student development and engagement, told The Daily Campus she first met Cook at a conference during the year hip-hop celebrated its 50th anniversary.

“Davey D was on a panel, and I was very impressed with the historical information he shared,” Jones said. “I thought this information would be great to share as we celebrate Black Culture during Black History Month at SMU.”

Brandon Kitchin, assistant director for Social Change and Intercultural Engagement, said Cook helped convey the nuance of hip-hop’s deep historical roots.

“Davey D filled in so many gaps and also inspired me to continue seeking out history. Hip Hop artists for decades have been some of the most influential people in society, beyond the more fun types of culture, such as art, sports, slang and fashion,” Kitchin said. “Artists’ responsibility and ability, whether they recognize it or not, to influence their communities has existed for a long time and is becoming more prevalent in today’s society and social media era.”

For SMU senior Tadiwa Dzviti, Cook’s talk resonated on a personal level.

“I loved the discussion where I got to learn about hip-hop and the impact it has on politics,” Dzviti said. “Remembering that hip-hop is Black music that brings people together and challenges racist systems was amazing for me as a Black man to learn about.”

In a month dedicated to honoring Black history and culture, Cook positioned hip-hop as an extension of that legacy and reminded the audience to embrace it.

“The music will always be a reflection of the people and community who embrace it,” Cook said.