"Hip Hop Generation: An Academic Conversation with the Artists" will take place from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the Grand Salon of the University Student Union on the west side of the campus off Zelzah Street in Northridge.

A diverse panel will discuss the history and roots of Hip-Hop music in the African American community and role in raising social consciousness and political activism.

The program will feature Cambodian American Hip-Hop artist Prach Ly and a diverse group of CSUN student performers, who will highlight how Hip Hop music and culture transcends cultural barriers and gives meaning to their lives.

"This is a great opportunity for people to get an appreciation for how African American culture and music have influenced other cultures in this country and around the world," said Carolyn Okazaki, coordinator of CSUN's Project Advocates for Cultural Talk (ACT), one of the event's sponsors. "It's not all about violence and bling, bling. There's a lot of social consciousness raising and a political aspect to rap as well. In many ways, rap is a way for people to acknowledge and voice their concerns about society through music."