For the first time in Hip-Hop history, a college fraternity is dedicating itself to the four elements of Hip-Hop, and in the process they are becoming the first Hip-Hop fraternity in existence.
Eta Iota Rho, also known as HIP, was founded by Quinnton Parker, Justin Wolverton, and Keane Rowley, three young break-dancers who weren’t quite excited about the current state of Hip-Hop.
“We’re not here with [false] intentions, this isn’t a publicity stunt,” Quinnton Parker, one of the founders of Eta Iota Rho told AllHipHop.com. “All the people involved generally want a change in the Hip-Hop community. They don’t want this negative image that comes from the media. They just want everybody to know what [Hip-Hop] is about.”
Not only is Eta Iota Rho open to MC’s, break-dancers, DJ’s, and graffiti artists, but the organization is also open to Hip-Hop lovers and enthusiasts.
“There are a lot of people that aren’t rappers, but they know a lot about [Hip-Hop],” Parker explained.
Eta Iota Rho will officially makes its debut on the Indiana University – Bloomington campus in Fall of 2008 and they are currently in the process of writing a Constitution and trying to find housing for its potential members.
“A fraternity will allow us to have a house and it will allow us to start our own small community, and that’s what it’s all about, getting a community and being together,” Parker said.
Although Eta Iota Rho was only formed a few months ago, the organization has already taken part in several events, including a break dance battle they held in conjunction with Indiana University’s Hip-Hop Congress.
The founders of Eta Iota Rho also have plans for expansion to other college campuses once a national organization is created.
