8503: Final Word On Hip-Hop Word Count.

Tahir Hemphill’s Hip-Hop Word Count wound up with 349 backers and $8,441 in pledges—$941 over the goal. Congratulations to Hemphill and all involved.

8476: Brother, Can You Spare $7.00?

At this very moment, Tahir Hemphill’s Hip-Hop Word Count is only $7 shy of its $7,500 goal. So barring a disaster, the project will be moving forward. Congratulations to Hemphill. And if you’re interested in being the one to seal the deal, become a backer by clicking here now.

8474: Words On The Hip-Hop Word Count.

PSFK spoke with Tahir Hemphill last June, discussing the Hip-Hop Word Count. Check out the interview. Then check out the project and become a backer. Hurry, the deadline is February 13, 2011.

8468: HHWC XLV.

If you manage to collect some spare change via the Super Bowl—whether it’s from the office pool, your bookie or stiffing the pizza delivery boy—consider becoming a backer of Tahir Hemphill’s Hip-Hop Word Count. To learn more and show your support, click here now. Hurry, the game ends February 13, 2011.

8456: The Hip-Hop Word Count Countdown.

Tahir Hemphill’s Hip-Hop Word Count currently has 295 backers, for a total of $6,773. Take a moment to help him exceed 300 backers and reach the $7,500 goal. Hurry, the deadline is February 13, 2011—that’s only 9 days away.

Update: 301 backers as of 5:00pm CST, 2/4/2011.

8441: Back A Black Inventor During BHM.

Just a reminder that instead of simply learning about Black inventors this month, you can actually support one. Make a generous donation to Tahir Hemphill’s Hip-Hop Word Count. Hurry, the deadline for contributions is February 13, 2011—that’s only 11 days away.

8371: Tahir Hemphill’s Hip-Hop Word Count.

Tahir Hemphill launched a project called The Hip-Hop Word Count: A Searchable Rap Almanac. Learn all about it here—including a video presentation starring Hemphill. Check this excerpt from the creator:

The Hip-Hop Word Count (HHWC) is a searchable ethnographic database built from the lyrics of over 40,000 Hip-Hop songs from 1979 to present day. The database is the heart of an online analysis tool that generates textual and quantified reports on searched phrases, syntax, memes and socio-political ideas.

The idea to build the Hip-Hop Word Count came out of having hundreds of heated & passionate discussions about Rap music: Who was the best rapper of all time? Which rapper had the smartest songs? Which was the most popular champagne in Hip-Hop during 1999-2003? Which rapper uses the most clever metaphors? Which city's rap songs use the most monosyllabic words? Does living in higher altitudes create a natural proclivity for Gangster Rap?

Tired of having these answers left up to conjecture or whoever had the loudest voice, I decided to build a tool that would help give answers by charting the culture described within Hip-Hop music.

You can help fund the effort, too. So cough up some cash for the man. Hey, Hemphill might inevitably find himself featured in a Black History Month Black inventors ad.

Hat tip to Hadji Williams.