At 12pm today (1pm EST), log on to http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslivewhere Hip Hop & Books will give listeners worldwide a first listen to the entire compilation cd ; Hip Hop & Books: The Compilation.
The CD boasts the likes of C-Murder, Blak Circle, , C. A. Webb, C-James, Dj Down South, Dream Team Stars, Jon Boy and many more
In related Hip Hop & Books News, the dance group STATUS QUO from MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, Season One is now a proud supporter of our music and literacy campaign.
This Tuesday (24th), Conversations Book Club will be making his debut on Blog Talk Radio.
On the first show, they will be speaking to best-selling author Terrance Dean.
Dean is the writer of the contraversial book ‘Hiding In Hip Hop (Confessions of a down low brother in the entertainment industry)’.
“Conversations LIVE!” can be found online at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive and can be heard online worldwide! Moderated by Conversations President and host, Cyrus A. Webb, this is the author’s first LIVE hour-long interview with Conversations about the book that has been written about in Newsweek, Time, Essence
Presales for Hip Hop & Books: The Compilation begin Fri. June 13th, with the album being available throughout the country on Saturday, June 28, 2008. The album retails for only $10.00 (12.50, with shipping included). Proceeds benefit the Hiphop and Books Project!
Music is already being gathered for Volume 2 that will be released in August 2008! Artists interested in being a part of the project should email Hiphop and Books Founder Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com
Universal Republic artist Josh Gates of New Orleans has joined the Hiphop and Books literary project.
Cyrus A. Webb, Founder of Hip Hop & Books said
“I began talking with Josh’s manager earlier this week,” He was definitely interested in working with Hiphop and Books, so it just became a matter of working out the logistics. Today (Friday, June 6, 2008 ) I was able to speak with Josh and confirm that he will be hitting the road with us within the next couple of weeks … “Universal Republic is no joke … It is the same label that Amy Winehouse, Mississippi’s 3 Doors Down and American Idol’s Taylor Swift is signed to. With Josh Gates talent it is going to be a win-win for both him and us.”
There is a Hip Hop & Books Rally in Mississppi today
‘Hip Hop & Books: The Compilation (Volume 1)’ includes new music from both new faces in hiphop as well as established artists in the business.
Only this project can bring together fresh Hip-Hop, R&B, and Spoken Word. Enjoy the sounds of Big A (”I Don’t Need You”), Blak Circle (”We In Here”), C. A. Webb (”Again”), C-James (”Worlds Collide”), C-Murder (”One False Move”), Dj Down South (”Like It Ain’t No Thang”), Duane Scott (”Wave Yo Hands”), Eddie Wright (”Rethickulous”), Jon Boy (”Rize Up”), K.Lipsey (”Mississippi Po Boy”), Jack Squad (”Welcome 2 Da Jack”), OndreaNicole (”Like What You See”) and Trill (”Gettin’ My Airplane On”)! The project also include shout-outs from a variety of artists encouraging listeners to join our addiction to books.
Proceeds benefit the Hiphop and Books Project!
Music is already being gathered for Volume 2 that will be released in August 2008! Artists interested in being a part of the project should email Hiphop and Books Founder Cyrus A. Webb at cawebb4@juno.com
In related news
The man who wrote ‘The Hustler’s 10 Commandments’ and ‘Hustle While You Work’ will be making his first visit to Mississippi Saturday, June 7th and Sunday June 8th to support events hosted by Conversations Book Club, Shadow Play Entertainment and the Hiphop and Books Initiative.
Hotep will be attending two events in Mississippi
* Saturday, June 7, 2008, 1-3p.m.: “Afternoon Entertainment @ Wal-Mart“. Wal-Mart HWY 18 in Jackson, MS. Performances by OndreaNicole, Blak Circle, Black Jewel and more. Hotep will have copies of both books available.
* Sunday, June 8, 2008, 3-5p.m. : “Hiphop and Books Rally” @ Smith Park, Amite St. in Jackson, MS. Performances by Trill, OndreaNicole, Trill Boyz Entertainment, Blak Circle, Jack Squad, Tim Steele, Tycaine and more! Hotep will be the guest with copies of both books available.
Conversations Book Club/Hiphop & Books Founder Cyrus A. Webb will be the special guest on “Naked Conversations” Radio Show on Monday, June 2, 2008 at 4p.m. CST (5p.m. EST).
The poet,journalist, visual artist, radio and television host will talk about the work that he has dedicated his life to as well as something he has never discussed in public until now: His views on Senator Obama and the race for the White House. Among the topics will be this “Barak Obama: Does he deserve to get our black vote?”
Conversations Book Club, Shadow Play Entertainment, Wal-Mart SuperCenter (HWY 18 * Jackson, MS) and their literary partners are pleased to provide you with this exclusive footage of recording artist K. Lipsey during his recent visit to Mississippi. He performed during the “Entertainment Hour at Wal-Mart”, and Hip Hop & Books would like to share it with you
Eddie Bennett,28, (aka “E”) is a Jackson native that has worked with artists like Jewman, David Banner, Petey Pablo and Timberland
In spite of ups and downs when it comes to the music industry, his journey has come full circle with new music and a positive outlook on life. Confident, grounded and ready to take on the world, E is here to stay—and eager to show others what it takes to have a career in the industry. He sat down with Hip Hop & Books for an interview
When did your interest in music began? It began when I was young and in middle school. I wanted to be in the band real bad because I always loved music. But being from a lower middle class family education is the most important thing and finances were really tied up for bills. So from there I always had a passion for music.
Who were some of your earliest musical influences?
Outkast, Leaders of the new School, Dr Dre, Timbaland, DJ Premier, You know, the legends.
A lot of times recording artists will say that the music they make has to do with the lives that they live or have seen. Is that true with you?
Yes for the most case. I always try to go outside the box also with my music to show others that I can do other things like tell a good story or inspire you with struggle or even just make something crazy and catchy. You have to be able to do all things with the music that you do.
When it comes to music, is there any genre that you like that might surprise your fan base?
I will just put it to you this way. The only genre I haven’t really gotten into yet is country. But its coming. Believe me.
Tell us about the making of your first cd or compilation that you were a part of. What was the name of it, walk us through the process of it coming together and if you were pleased with the finished project?
The first Cd I actually made was for one of my firsts artist when I was living in North Carolina. His name was GAME. It was funny to me too when the new one came out. But the process was fulfilling. It was just a bunch of hungry individuals wanting to do something they loved so much and didn’t care what anyone else felt or thought about it. I was pleased with the outcome of it because it was my first one. So just to complete it was accomplishing alone. But from there I realized that I had a long way to go. But I was determined to do it because its just something about music that I cannot walk away from right now.
When we last talked in 2006 you were releasing your second mixtape. What have you been working on since then?
Working my self to death trying to get where im comfortable with my music and in the industry. Formed a new prodoction team, got a lot of new work going on and its just one big ole bag of blessings coming to me right now. At the same time I am working on a new mixtape due to be released this summer. All original production on this one.
Do you think the music scene in Mississippi has changed much since your last release?
Yes it has changed dramatically. The crab in a bucket syndrome is slowly dwindeling away from the inner city music and the networking and get money by all means legally necessary attitude has been picking up in a lot of people and areas in the state.
Do you think we are really as behind on the music side as people seem to think we are?
Are we behind? Not by a long shot. material we have has always been taken and reworked by others outside of our state lines. We have what it takes. The door is just closed to us right now.
Who would you say your music most appeals to?
My music appeals to people who think about the other things that go on in the streets. You have your story livers and your story tellers. I am a little bit of both and the people it appeals to most are the one who can not only relate but can also say they know someone that it has happened to and they have lived it through them.
Living in Mississippi, there are so many cliché when it come to what people like. Is it your goal to cross over to appeal to a larger demographic?
The Ultimate goal is to just get noticed on a national level. As long as you keep your music true to yourself and the people who it relates to where you are from, I fell everything else will be handled in the turmoil. Because believe me with success, comes turmoil.
Mississippi has produced some bright stars and there are many more trying to get to the top. what advice would you give new performers as they begin their career.
If you value sleep and rest and no stress. Do not get into this game. You will lose sleep if you want to make it. It is a must. It is not possible to do it a few hours a day and make it happen. This is a life and a lifestyle for some people around here. It pays my bills and keeps me very comfortable. I put in over 80 hours a week on just music alone. At the same time persuing a degree. Success comes in a lot of forms. I just don’t know which mine will be in yet.(laughs). So I will try them all and see which fits me best.
There has been much discussion as to the affect of hiphop music on today’s youth. What is your take on it?
Do you think that the music a young person listens to influences what they do in their lives? Kind of. I don’t think it really does the complete job of influencing the youth but it does a little. Some more than others though depending on the demographic of where you are. Because not everyone feels the same when they hear music that they like. Or don’t like.
It’s one thing to be an artist, but you have also taken an active role in the production of music as well. Talk to us about the process you went through to begin Causin’ Drama Entertainment and who was it created for?
Causin’ Drama Entertainment was created for myself and a group of friends that I began with. It was a rough process and people lost a lot of things and gained a lot of things. Hell I lost my whole studio and had to build it all back from scratch. But the process was ongoing. Even today the process is not complete but it moves a lot more smoothly than what it used to and you can see the history of things that I have completed with Causin’ Drama Entertainment. From production, to engineering I have had a hand in more than 50 percent of not only my own artists music, but a lot of the music that the city of Jackson hears right now.
What do you want people to know about the music that you choose to make?
I make what I know works, not only for me but for a vast amount of people. Most live outside of Mississippi though. But that’s cool with me.
Since we are in a political season I have to ask you about the politics of the music industry. Do you think it is really so much about talent today as it is about generated hype?
Its really a little bit of both. Just look at the presidential elections. Its just April and you wouldn’t know it the way they are marketing the new elections. (laughs) Same thing applies in music. Just in a different concept. Its strange but true. Not everyone is made to be marketed. Some people just have to rely on talent and prayer. And some slide right through the door selling their sole and publishing in the process.
When it comes to you, how do you remain relevent on the scene while maintaining your integrity?
By looking at myself and looking at my life. I havent made it yet. But I am happy. And I try to pass that on. My reputation for having a super hard work ethic has preceded me for many years. Now its to the point where I have to keep focus and eliminate negative people away from me and out of my life. That is how you stay relevant. Surround yourself with people just like you. And you will gain ground and prosper. When I am on the scene, I am the man that gets the job done. Whatever you need I will facilitate you or try to with the best of my ability and supplies. But when I clock out and go home, I change into my natural self: laid back and open minded looking for the next big thing. Its just a big dream to me. I never knew what I would accomplish last year. And I dont let my gaining ground go to my head. I stay grounded. I remain a regular person. Just like everyone else. Thats what people want. To feel like you are just like them. And I am.
Once there, look on the right side of our main page. You will see books by Hotep (HUSTLE WHILE YOU WORK and THE HUSTLER’S 10 COMMANDMENTS) and Jacki-O (GROWN & GANGSTA).
Pick either (or all) of those books for only $12.50 (shipping included) and pay using your credit/debit cards through Paypal.
Conversations Book Club will get $3.00 for every book sold through their website!
R&B superstar Kelly Rowland is now an ambassador. Kelly along with Nike went to a school in London to talk to tell girls to keep fit and not to bunk Physical Education lessons.
The Here I Am Campaign by Nike is designed to encourage girls to get more involved in sport.
Kelly is a role model for young girls. She’s got ambition, drive and she loves sport and keeps fit (shes a dancer, runs and can box, with a mean right hook)
The girls had the opportunity to ask Kelly questions about her career and sport before she gave an exclusive performance.
For more information, check out www.nikehereiam.com and check out the exclusive video below.
Everyone at The Hip Hop Chronicle would like to thank Kelly for being an ambassador for such an important project. We always love when artists give back!
Nike also set up an initiative called ‘Women Win’ and they have T-Shirts called ‘Yes To Tee’. They cost £15 and every £7 goes to provide access to sport for underprivileged girls.
Conversations Book Club President/Hiphop and Books Founder Cyrus A. Webb interviewed Platinum-selling recording artist Corey “C-Murder” Miller. In October 2007, Webb made history by conducting the first sitdown interview with Cee in over 5 years.
Conversations Book Club will talk exclusively to Terrance Dean, author of the explosive autobiography HIDING IN HIPHOP (Confessions of a down low brother in the entertainment industry).
Moderated by Conversations President and host, Cyrus A. Webb, this is the author’s first hour-long primetime interview about the book that has been written about in Newsweek, Time, Essence and on the internet worldwide. Webb will also discuss Dean’s visit to Mississippi in June 2008 as part of Conversations “Statewide Book Club Meet and Greet”.
You have heard the rumors and the speculation. Now get the truth from the man himself.
Jon Boy from the VH1 reality series Ego Trip’s The White Rapper Show has endorsed the Hiphop and Books project and will be appearing on tour in several cities throughout the country to encourage reading and the importance of staying in school.
Many know Jon Boy from the VH1 program Ego Trip’s The White Rapper Show, however he’s been rapping and producing years before his appearance on the show and is a seasoned professional who is ready to unleash his skills to the world. In the reality series, he gained exposure
For more information about Jon Boy, visit him online at
When many artists are feeling the pressure to confirm to a popular style in order to make it, 29 year old Kevin Lipsey has set out on his own path with his eye on the prize. A native of Canton, Mississippi he now lives in California and is getting major attention for his new single “Mississippi Po Boy”. Being a student of the business, Lipsey is dedicated to perfecting his craft yet remaining true to himself, knowing that looking ahead will guarantee him the success he wants.
Lipsey is a proud supporter of the 25-state “Hiphop and Books” initiative that kicked off in April 2008 with the purpose of encouraging reading and the importance of staying in school. Look for him to join the project when it makes stops in Arizona and California in July 2008 (see http://www.hiphopandbooks.com for all the details.)
In this interview he talks about how his love for music began as well as why he takes nothing for granted when it comes to his career.
What started you in the path towards the entertainment industry?
My uncle use to work with the Canton Spirituals, and occassionally he would let me in on the studio sessions. I was only about 5, but that’s when the bug bit me. I ran with it. When I was 13 I hooked up with my friend’s big brother Gino. Gino was working with Ghetto Boys and some other artists. He had a home studio before it became popular. So he gave me my first lessons on the equipment.
Have you been surprised at how quickly your single “Mississippi Po Boy” has taken off, resonating with so many people?
Yes… It is a surprise. Not so much surprised about how it is taking off but how fast it is taking off. The song was released as a mother’s day dedication. And it connected far past Mother’s Day. I have been getting messages from a variety of people who have connected with the song emotionally. It’s a real life song that many people can relate to.
For many artists success is defined by radio play or being on television.
What is success for K. Lipsey?
I’ve had previous radio play and in 2006 I made my BET debut as a video director, which I also played the role of one of the characters in the gospel music video “You Held On Even When I Let Go” by Eddie Ruth Bradford. Even after that I didn’t feel like I had achieved my goals. In 2002, I walked away from a career as an Electrical Power Engineer to start my musical journey. So my standards are extremely high. My success will be measured by the leverage I create as a company. The leverage that will give me the clout and finances to give other creative artists an outlet. So to accomplish that goal, I must first take care of some of the objectives like: how many lives we inspire, how many units we sale, and making sure we stay true to a quality brand of music and entertainment that will stand the test of time. It doesn’t happen over night so, I’m in it for the long haul.
Being from Mississippi do you think the state gets a bad rap when it comes to its reputation?
Most definitely… Even with my life experience and college education, I find myself having to go above and beyond to prove my points. I even had people tell me that they thought I couldn’t handle big city marketing repsonsibilities. It threw me for a loop for a minute. It’s not my personality, but sometimes I have to get ugly to get my point across, even after I have proven myself.
What about musicially? We have produced some of the most talked about artists, from Leontyne Price, B. B. King and David Banner. Do you find that the love is there for these accomplishments the way you want it to be?
I like them all… I been a supporter of David Banner since the beginning simply because he was reppin the Sipp. Now looking at my situation, I feel I’m getting similar support. We just want to see someone from Mississippi make their mark in today’s culture. So I can’t complain. I say “Thank you” as often as I can. THANK YOU.
I contacted you after hearing your song in rotation on a Mississippi station about the Hiphop & Books project. As you know, it’s mission is to encourage reading among lovers of the hiphop community. You have taken up the charge of joining our cause of encouraging reading and the importance of staying in school. Why do you think these are important, especially for our young people?
First of all we have to realize that the entertainment industry is still a business industry like any other industry. A sound education will give you a foundation when an opportunity presents itself. Investors feel more comfortable knowing that you have some sense of direction for you or your company. To stay up on the trends of the industry I’m constantly reading. I read the Billboard and other industry publications on a daily basis. It helps me be a better marketing professional within the industry. I always encourage people who want to be in this industry to learn the business. That comes from picking up books that explain the diffent components of the industry and when you’re done with that one, find another one. If you don’t understand a subject matter, do research on that subject until you have enough information to make you comfortable.
Kevin, after such a hot debut I know you have alot of events planned to promote your music. Where can we go online to find out more about you and the work you are doing?
I’m online at www.kLipsey.comand www.myspace.com/kLipsey
Thank you for your time. What would you like to say to your fans and
those who might be just learning about you through this interview?
Thank you for your support. This one is for the HOME TEAM. So let’s push forward together.
Hip Hop & Books is also proud to confirm that at their next rally in Arlington, Texas, the Dream Team Stars will be the special guests. The Dream Team Stars are six talented young men from Texas. High Rolla Sky, Mook, Mar Star, A.C. TraeMillz, and DJ Trillion Cutz have mixed up a song called Love Potion, currently getting spins on KKDA 104.5 in Dallas. However, it doesn’t stop there. With songs like Midnight Love, Lay You Down, Bang in the Trunk, and Suspicion, it is clear that these guys are not going any where anytime soon.
The Dream Team Stars have every tool needed to make it: talent, personality and persistence. Check out their music, their youtube channel, and you will see stars in the making by visiting http://www.myspace.com/dreamteamstars.
On Saturday May 10th, there was a historic day in Memphis as The Hip Hop and Books Rally made a stop in Tennessee. Through the extreme weather, the rally was a resounding success.
Hip Hop & Books as an organisation helps to promote children’s education through the music of Hip-Hop.
A special thanks going to Memphis‘ R&B artist Duane Scott, DJ Redeye and Antoine Beane for showing the rally alot of love and support. Though the event was featuring headliners Trill & G-Money, Mississippi artists The Blak Circle, Playa Connected & Tycaine of Crooked 4 Life/C.O.D. Records along for support and to bring a different favor the trip.
The next stop on the Hip Hop & Books tour is in El Dorado, Arkansas.
This is an important because our youth are the future and everyone working hard at Hip Hop & Books should be commended for their work. As should the artists that show their support.
Head over to these websites and get more involved and show your support.
At Boston’s University this pass Friday, the ‘Battle Of The Lyricists’ took place.
At the event students battle with each other in a series of contests and attracted people from all backgrounds.
The winner of the competition was Paul Yi, a sophomore student of Arts and Science. Before going on stage, he said he wasnt nervous.
“I watch a lot of YouTube [videos] and follow a lot of battles … It’s not necessarily who’s the best rapper, or best technically, or has the best flow, but it’s really how you work the audience. It comes down to the punch lines and how clever you are.”
Yi also praised the universality of Hip-Hop
“I’m from the suburbs. Honestly, my parents don’t even know that I rap … It’s a great testament of how universal hip-hop is, and how many different types of people it can reach regardless of where you’re from, regardless of your background and regardless of your ethnicity.”
Rachel Richmond, the coordinator of Student Activities felt the competition was a resounding success
“To actually know that there is a committed and excited fan base that loves hip-hop in its true form, there’s nothing better than knowing that they came out to support us … hop is a really underserved genre, especially on campus.”
Hip-Hop artist James Calhoun and a professor from the University Of California sat down with students about the effects of the Black Panther Party on media and music. The talk was part of a month long series on the Black Panther Party at the University of Tennessee.Artist Calhoun founded a hip-hop group, The Black Panter F.U.G.I.T.I.V.E.S. who communicate positive messages to young people.
“I am hip-hop,” Calhoun said. “I have lived, I have breathed it, I have eaten it.”
Calhoun spoke on the changes in hip-hop since its beginings of the 60’s and 70’s and he believes the music genre has strayed from its roots as a political form.
When hip-hop was born, “lyrics were really driven by the politics of the time … It was really a way to express culturally the need to gather, the need to reform. It was really a powerful time to have that synergy going on … The Black Panther Party is not directly…the father of hip-hop. But, it is certainly a huge catalyst for it.”
Professor Michael Hanson from the University Of California in San Diego said
Early hip-hop artists made bold attacks on the state and spoke out about black dispossession, said Hanson. These artists were not concerned with making their music “palatable” to white listeners. Instead, they were seeking to make the Black Panther Party’s stance known.
Calhoun then went on to say that record labels made hip-hop into being about ’thugs’ rather than putting out a positive message.
He has called on artists to do more for their community
“Demand more out of what they do,” Calhoun said. “Demand the artist to do more rather than say more.”
On Saturday 26th April in Melborne, Australia, Rhythm Project will host a Hip-Hop/R&B Charity concert known as Make A Change’.
In partnership with CitiPower the concert brings together singers, break dancers, dance crews, rappers, beat boxers, DJ’s as well as choirs.
Its been going strong since 2002 and all the proceeds from the event are donated to the charity ‘World Vision, Alounmai Food Security Project in Laos’, which help to fight against poverty in Thailand.
This years events will see artists like Israel Cruz, Gary Pinto, KSTAR, Tha Breakthru Concept Family and a whole host of other artists.
The host for the event is Dwayne Cross from Roc Tha Block
Bakari Kitwana, a former editor of The Source magazine believes that to understand the youth in America, you got to understand Hip-Hop.
Kitwana is the 2007-2008 Artist-in-Residence for the Chicago University’s Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture.
This week Kitwana has began teaching a class called “Politics of the Hip-Hop Generation,” in which he hopes to explain the world view of the hip-hop generation.
Kitwana, author of The Hip-Hop Generation and Why White Kids Love Hip-Hop said
“People born within the hip-hop generation … have a different world view. They’re born in a post-segregation America, and their idea of the American dream is radically different from previous generations of Americans.”
Some maybe sceptical of the relevance of hip-hop on the youth Kitwana uses artists like Jay-Z and 50 Cent to demonstrate how mainstream hip-hop has become. Another aim of the class is to explain the history of gangster rap where Kitwana will use DMX’s autobiography (’E.A.R.L’) and ‘Queens Reign Supreme’ along with a book written by Mary Pattillo-McCoy called ‘Black Picket Fences’ which focuses on the black middle class.
The former Source editor also went on to say the emergence of hip-hop was in direct correlation with the rise of the urban underclass in the 70’s.
“In 1970, there were approximately 200,000 Americans who were incarcerated. In 2000, that number had risen to more than 2 million. “You can’t understand the hip-hop generation without understanding global economics. It’s the negative aspects of global economic policy that have shaped public policy toward the hip-hop generation. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, prisons became the solution for many problems deemed specific to black youth.”
“I’m really interested to hear the perspective of students who grew up with hip-hop, who didn’t know a world without it as part of the mainstream. I expect to learn from the students.”
In addition to teaching a class, the ‘hip-hop intellectual’ Kitwana is also holding a discussed called “The Hip-Hop Generation: Race, Gender & the Vote,”, which is scheduled for April 5th.
The Director of the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, Waldo Johnson is glad to have the Bakari Kitwana onboard.
“It’s impossible to understand today’s global youth culture and contemporary constructions of race, gender and sexuality without insight into hip-hop … As such, it is essential that the University community seriously grapple with hip-hop culture’s relevance across disciplines. For years, Bakari Kitwana has been at the forefront of this inquiry. We’re excited to have him here.”
The panel will include artists like M1 (Off Dead Prez), Maya Rockeymoore, a former chief of staff to Congressman Charles Rangel, Trinity College professor Vijay Prashad among others.
The University Of Regina is the latest institution to adopt Hip-Hop as part of the education cirriculum.
The Canadian university have set up two new lab spaces which will be focused to the study of hip-Hop in Canada and Saskatchewan.
The idea came from Professor Charity Marsh who will oversee a multi-media DJ interactive workshop and performance space, a beat-making and electronic production studio as well as enthnomusicology and research offices.
Charity Marsh explains its purpose
“I’m hoping it’s a site for people to come together, to play together, to create together, to collaborate and to make it happen … It becomes a site where people can access equipment that they might not necessarily be able to afford or that they don’t have. And also networking, where we can collaborate and work together as artists and researchers …”
“… there’s a lot of really interesting, provocative, thoughtful and creative work coming out in the Saskatchewan hip hop scene … They’re making beats about things that are not getting taken up in other public discourses, other public places. And that to me is what’s awesome about what’s going on here.”
“There is no other lab like this across Canada and so this is hot for the university.”
Artists in the the region have also welcomed the idea. Performer Eekwol (real name Lindsay Knight) said
“It’s something that we wouldn’t have even dreamed of 10 years ago because we were just working with whatever we could throw together,” “Now there’s actually these labs that kids can come in and learn how to do this kind of stuff, so it’s really amazing.”
Stephen Warde, better known as DJ Quartz voiced Knight’s comments
“Everybody’s just mindblown from this,” “(The artists) saw the room with the turntables and were like, ‘Oh my God!’ Everybody was freaking out. So I think it’s really going to blow up.”
The Dean of Fine Arts at the university said the move to introduce hip-hop was “groundbreaking”.
“It’s going to enhance the work that we’re already doing in the areas of culture and heritage … and certainly build even stronger bridges with the community”.
Original article written by Heather Polischuk, Leader-Post
Here at ‘The Hip-Hop Chronicle’ we like to encourage youth projects especially when it comes to Education.
A great champion of this is Unitee Design Inc.
UniTee Design, Inc. is on a mission: to rebuild African-American unity in our communities primarily through the development, support and funding of more effective educational opportunities for today’s young generation.
A youth education and ethnic empowerment enterprise with offices near Detroit, Atlanta, and in New York City, UDI’s primary product and service offerings are youth enrichment (i.e., educational programming and motivational speaking), and ethnic apparel design, production, distribution and sales.
UDI uses designs that feature the red, black and green (RBG) colors associated with African-American culture. “UniTee Shirts” and “UniTee Bands” teach our children of a rich cultural history, heritage, and the many, significant achievements of their ancestors, to build and strengthen within them higher levels of self-esteem and self-identity.
R. Lee Gordon, UDI’s founder (and director of youth education programming for The Hip Hop Congress) says there is a growing movement to better the condition of African-American youth through better education. “By proactively engaging the many groups and individuals who share our mission and value our vision, we can overcome fragmentation, create consolidation and build a national coalition to propel our ability to deliver more effective educational options to the maximum number of youth. Thus, we are willing to work with anyone who will help us support, develop and fund youth education programming that empowers the lives of our children.”
Another project that Unitee are working on is encouraging fathers to accompany their children on their first day at school
UniTee Design and TellUsDetroit.com are organizing The Detroit 2008 Million Father March, a city-wide campaign that encourages fathers to accompany their child or children to the first day of school. This initiative will be used to increase community, parent and student involvement throughout the school year by working with individuals and groups who are committed to better youth education.
Last year, on the first day of the new school year, 400,000 men in 238 cities around the world, including Barcelona , Spain , and Devonshire, Bermuda , participated in the Million Father March 2007.This year, it is expected 300 cities and an estimated 500,000 men across the world will participate in the Million Father March 2008.
The Million Father March was founded by Phillip Jackson of The Black Star Project, a Chicago-based non-profit organization.
“While The Million Father March is about getting dads to drop their kids off to the first day of school,” says UniTee Design’s director of youth education, R. Lee Gordon, “we hope this program will mean more dads will see more “A’s” on report cards the last day of school.”
UniTee Design, Inc. is a youth empowerment enterprise that funds, promotes and supports more effective educational opportunities for today’s young generation.
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