The Power to Try: Rhyme, Resilience, and Reinvention | Malik Boykin | TEDxBrownU

Key Concepts

• Hip-hop as art therapy and community building
• Resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity
• The power of trying and continuous self-improvement
• Integrating personal experiences with academic pursuits
• The importance of diverse teams and community support
• Finding one's voice and using it to empower others

Early Life and Hip-Hop's Influence

Malik Starks recounts his upbringing in Prince George's County, Maryland, where hip-hop became a significant influence during a turbulent period marked by neighborhood challenges and the loss of his mother. He describes hip-hop as his "art therapy," providing solace and a sense of belonging. He and his partner Psycho formed a hip-hop duo called No-Name, emulating artists like KRS-One, Ice Cube, and Rakim. The positive reception from classmates fueled his passion, leading to him prioritizing music over academics and eventually being kicked out of his first high school. Despite the challenges, he found a community of hip-hop enthusiasts who supported each other.

Higher Education and a Near-Death Experience

With the support of his community and father, Starks was admitted to Howard University. Initially, he believed he had to choose between hip-hop and academics, so he put his music aside. However, a near-fatal car accident after a party at Morgan State University served as a wake-up call. Surviving the accident unscathed, he questioned his purpose and decided to pursue music, embracing his middle names to become Malik Starks, a rapper, artist, and storyteller. He formed another duo, left school, and dedicated himself to music full-time, learning to produce beats, book shows, and build a fan base.

Career Setbacks and Academic Pursuits

After gaining momentum as the number one rap group in the DC area on MySpace, another setback occurred when his car caught fire and exploded on I-95, destroying his transportation and halting his musical progress. This led him to return to school, enrolling in the University of Maryland Global Campus to study psychology, aiming to become a psychology professor like his father. He adopted a new mantra of completing every assignment to the best of his ability and on time. During this time, he also joined a folk-rock band, the Justin Treywood group, where he learned about the power of diverse teams and balanced his music with his education. He achieved a 4.0 GPA while touring with the band, opening for acts like Casey and the Sunshine Band, Blues Traveler, and the Yin-Yang Twins.

Graduate Studies and Overcoming Obstacles

After graduating, Starks worked as a research assistant on his father's psychology research team. His rap group reunited and received a record deal, but creative differences led him to reconsider his path. He decided to pursue his dream of becoming a psychology professor and took a GRE practice test, scoring poorly on the math section (310 out of 800). Undeterred, he studied extensively, completing 14 GRE practice books and raising his math score to 730. Despite being rejected from PhD programs, he was accepted into Columbia's M.S. program. He worked three jobs while maintaining a 4.0 GPA and reapplied to PhD programs, eventually being accepted into the University of California at Berkeley.

Loss and Triumph at Berkeley

Before starting his PhD program at Berkeley, his car, containing all his belongings, was lost in a fire during shipping. He began his program with only one suitcase but relied on his hip-hop roots, meditative practices, and community support to persevere. He honed his voice in academic settings, accepting feedback and improving over time. He held onto his vision of his father hooding him at graduation.

Current Role and Integration of Hip-Hop

Starks is now a professor at Brown University, where he integrates hip-hop into his teaching, mentorship, and research. He uses improvisational conversations, poetry, and self-discovery to connect theories to students' lived experiences. He also brings his academic insights to his performances in hip-hop clubs.

Key Quotes

• "Hip hop was there for me it was my art therapy."
• "...if I tried and persisted that I could win."
• "We don't have to be fearless we don't have to be perfect we just have to try relentlessly because sometimes trying is enough to change everything."

Technical Terms and Concepts

• Art Therapy: Using creative methods like music to improve mental and emotional health.
• Paradigm Defying: Challenging or breaking away from established norms or beliefs.
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): A standardized test required for admission to many graduate programs in the United States.
• Hooding Ceremony: A ceremony where a doctoral candidate is invested with the hood of their degree, signifying their completion of the program.
• Verbalistic and Improvisational Conversations: Spontaneous and creative discussions that draw on language skills and adaptability.

Synthesis/Conclusion

Malik Starks' journey is a testament to the power of resilience, perseverance, and the integration of diverse passions. Hip-hop served as a constant source of strength and community throughout his life, helping him overcome numerous obstacles and ultimately achieve his academic and personal goals. His story emphasizes the importance of embracing one's unique path, continuously striving for self-improvement, and using one's voice to empower others.