LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

LINDEN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, NJ -- The gymnasium at School No. 2 didn’t just host an assembly on Monday, Feb. 9, it became a living, breathing celebration of Black history, culture, and connection.

As part of the school’s Black History Month observance, students in grades 3–5 participated in an assembly titled "The Principles of Hip Hop: Peace, Love, Unity and Having Fun," an experience that blended movement, music, history, and social-emotional learning into one unforgettable morning.

The energy was immediate and contagious.

From the first beat drop, the gym echoed with thunderous applause and deafening cheers as instructors hit the floor with precision footwork, spins, and freezes. Students jumped to their feet, clapped in rhythm, and erupted with excitement, especially when an instructor -- and later, a fearless teacher or classmate -- stepped into the front of the room and busted a move, sending the crowd into a frenzy of joy.

Learning in Motion

Hosted by Hip Hop Fundamentals, a Philadelphia-based collective, the assembly went far beyond performance. Led by instructors Mach Five, Ospreley, and Old Dirty Wizard (their stage names), the program introduced students to the culture and soul of hip hop through the fundamentals of breaking, commonly known as breakdancing.

“This is about more than dance,” said Mach Five, one of the group’s lead instructors. “We’re teaching discipline, exploration, and self-expression -- the same way hip hop was learned before YouTube. You saw something once, went home, practiced it, and made it your own.”

The session was highly interactive, filled with student-driven Q&A, live demonstrations, and moments where groups of students eagerly took the floor themselves, modeling moves, mirroring techniques, and showing what they learned in real time. Every attempt was celebrated. Every question was welcomed. Every student felt seen.

Hip Hop as History—and Healing

Hip Hop Fundamentals works with schools across the tri-state area, including New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, and its programs also reach California and Detroit. During the school year, the collective often sends multiple teams each day to bring assemblies and workshops to students nationwide.

At the core of their work is social-emotional learning -- creating safe, affirming spaces where students can explore creativity, identity, and connection through movement.’

“You feel safe here,” Mach Five explained. “You’re learning with other people. That’s where the growth happens.”

That mission is deeply aligned with Black History Month.

“The civil rights movement and the hip hop movement happened in tandem,” Mach Five said. “As Black people fought for dignity, equality, and space in society, hip hop was fighting for space in culture. Even in environments we created, we still had to make our way.”

Through storytelling, movement, and shared experience, students learned how hip hop emerged as both a voice and a bridge, a cultural force rooted in resilience, expression, and unity.