ESP Biography



NATHANIEL GARCIA, MIT student who always has his headphones in




Major: 18

College/Employer: MIT

Year of Graduation: 2015

Picture of nathaniel garcia

Brief Biographical Sketch:

Grew up in southern California, came to MIT, became a radio DJ, got to know Boston's hip hop community, hold it down.



Past Classes

  (Clicking a class title will bring you to the course's section of the corresponding course catalog)

X8663: The Mixture that is Hip Hop in Splash 2014 (Nov. 22 - 23, 2014)
Hip Hop has been influenced and mixed with many different musical genres. Through methods such as sampling, jazz, soul, R&B, and other styles are reimagined by Hip Hop artists. Current Hip Hop blends these and other modern genres such as electronic music in its continuous evolution. Explore these intricate weavings, co taught by Boston based producer, HiFadility.


P8664: The Evolution of Kendrick Lamar in Splash 2014 (Nov. 22 - 23, 2014)
Born and raised in southern California, I was listening to Kendrick Lamar way back in 2005. Discovered by Punch of Top Dawg Ent, K dot joined Jay Rock and later teammate Ab Soul, and eventually Schoolboy Q. From Training Day to Good Kid Maad City I have watched his rise and growth. Come explore the evolution of one of Hip Hop's brightest stars.


Z8665: College Radio and Hip Hop in Splash 2014 (Nov. 22 - 23, 2014)
The greatest Hip Hop show of all time was broadcast out of the basement of Columbia University from 1-5am, hosted by Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Garcia. With its culture of freedom, youth, and energy, college radio has played home to countless historic Hip Hop moments. Boston's first Hip Hop was hosted here at MIT on WMBR. Come explore a little bit of this fascinating culture.


P7370: Microphone Mathematics in Splash! 2013 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2013)
A quote from the hip hop group De La Soul, it has come to be the term for skilled lyricists and their verbal acrobatics. Lets discuss some of the greats, from the era when rakim reigned to nasty nas in the area causing mass hysteria to kendrick lamar winning lyricist of the year awards left and right


P7371: I am a God in Splash! 2013 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2013)
Kanye West stirred up some controversy with his album Yeezus and his line "I am a God". This isn't the first time an artist has made such a claim. Let's explore the origins of divine claims and hip hop's acknowledged divine family Rakim Allah, God's Son Nasir Jones, and according to Vibe Magazine, Kendrick Lamar


P7372: A Quest Called Vibe in Splash! 2013 (Nov. 23 - 24, 2013)
The status of the group act in hip hop is currently in a valley, but the truth is a group can be more than the sum of its parts. Lets examine what made hip hop acts such as The Wu Tang Clan, A Tribe Called Quest, and Outkast so successful and the power of a group to launch solo careers.


A6890: The Art of Hip-Hop in HSSP Spring 2013 (Mar. 02, 2013)
A look at hip hop as an art form. Consider how lyrics, music (beat), flow, delivery, and structure lend to the conscious creation of modern poetry. In the words of KRS ONE, "rappers spit rhymes that are mostly illegal, MCs spit rhymes to up lift their people" Focus will be given to specific artists from 1987-1998


X6891: Microphone Mathematics in Spark! 2013 (Mar. 16, 2013)
Rap -- Lies ________ Hip Hop A light hearted discussion of hip hop and rap music. looking at song lyrics and gaining new appreciation for the art of the MC


X6893: Microphone Mathematics in Spark! 2013 (Mar. 16, 2013)
Rap -- Lies ________ Hip Hop A light hearted discussion of hip hop and rap music. looking at song lyrics and gaining new appreciation for the art of the MC


X6324: Microphone Mathematics in Splash! 2012 (Nov. 17 - 18, 2012)
If the first thing you thought of was De La Soul's famous line when you read this thats good. Modern hip-hop is losing touch with its history. Lets talk about Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Nas, AZ, 2pac, Notorious BIG, BIG L, Pun, Scarface and others and remember why I fell in love with rap music. Lyrical mastery and genius is a rarity; appreciate it.