I will watch a performance by Maimouna Youssef, also called Mumu Fresh.
Mumu Fresh is an Afro-Native singer-songwriter whose style blends gospel, soul, jazz, and hip hop.
In her first song, Hello, Mumu Fresh greets her audience by saying “hello” in many different languages.
Today, I will learn different ways I can greet people, and say “hello”.
I will use my facial expressions and body language to say “hello” with a greeting dance.
I will write or draw “hello” by creating a greeting card for a friend or family member.
Step 1: I will watch this video
Who will I meet...
Mumu Fresh is an Afro-Native MC and singer-songwriter.
She is Choctaw, Creek, and African-American.
Keywords...
MC, emcee, Master of Ceremonies - in hip hop culture, a performer with incredible stage presence who speaks over a beat
Singer-songwriter - a musical artist who writes and performstheir own songs
What type of music will I hear:
Mumu Fresh blends --and loops!-- gospel, soul, jazz, and hip hop.
Gospel - a style of Christian music
Soul - music originating in African American communities in the 1950’s and 1960’s combining elements of gospel music, jazz, and rhythm and blues
Jazz - an improvisational style of music originating in African American communities in the late 19th century influenced by African rhythms and European harmonic structure.
Hip Hop - stylized rhythmic music accompanied by rapping developed by African Americans and Latino Americans in New York City in the 1970’s
Rapping - a rhythmic, rhyming and chanted speech
Step 2: What did I notice?
1. What did I notice about the performer, Mumu Fresh?
What was Mumu Fresh wearing?
Mumu Fresh’s shirt says, “OBSERVE HOW A QUEEN DO”
How did Mumu Fresh use her arms, hands, and body to communicate?
2. What did I notice about the performance space?
What did I see on the walls?
What colors did I see? On the posters? In Mumu Fresh’s clothing? The lighting? Her blanket?
3. How does the music make me feel?
Which song was my favorite?
What feelings did I have during my favorite song?
Step 3: Greeting Dance
In Mumu Fresh’s first song, Hello, she shares many different ways of saying “hello”.
I can say “hello” many different ways with my facial expressions and my body language.
1. First, I can practice saying hello using my facial expressions
I can blow a kiss, smile, or wink.
2. Next, I can practice saying hello using my body language
I can wave, hug, dance, give a thumbs up or say “I love you” in American Sign Language.
3. Last, I can put a few of these movements together to create a unique greeting dance!
Step 4: Greeting Card
In Mumu Fresh’s first song, Hello, she shares many different ways of saying “hello”.
I can say “hello” to my friends and family who are far away by creating a greeting card.
Materials
I can use blank paper and art making materials, like colored pencils, crayons or markers, for my greeting card.
Activity
First, I can fold my piece of blank paper in half
Then, I can make the front of my greeting card.
I can write “hello” in different languages on the front of my greeting card.
Next, I can draw “hello” with pictures on the front of my greeting card.
Last, I can make the inside of my greeting card
I can personalize a message to my friend or family member on the inside of my greeting card.
I can write a lyric from Mumu Fresh’s song on the inside of my greeting.
Friendship starts with a “hello”
You can make a friend wherever you go
If you know how to say “hello”
I can draw a picture on the inside of my greeting card.
Then, I can sign my name on the inside of my greeting card.
Share my card!
Finally, I can send my greeting card in the mail to a friend or family member
OR I can send a picture of my greeting card to a friend or family member.
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Mumu Fresh identifies as a musical healer. Do you think music has the ability to heal?
Mumu Fresh has many references to Black artists, political leaders, and social justice icons in her performance space. Who are the important people in your life?
We encourage you to learn more about people featured in Mumu Fresh’s performance space: Muhammad Ali, Fela, and Nelson Mandela.