Rhymefest

Big Love- To All The Young People of The Skillman Foundation who came to spend time with your Chicago Cuzzins!
Chicago & Detroit share a common history and it’s imperative we connect to listen, organize and strategize for our communities together. Today a pipeline was created- thanks to 🎬Art Of Culture, Inc. Champs Mentoring Program Lost Boys, crowned_on__purpose & Sisters in Cinema !

Speaking with shiakapos and the audience at The Hideout last week reaffirmed my belief that balanced school budgets is the best way to protect staff, classrooms and students experience.

Chicago Public Schools serves more than 318,000 students across 622 buildings, with 🌎world-class supports for special needs, English learner programs, free meals, advanced technology, arts and opportunities for families and communities to engage and grow.

Our children deserve even more.

I’m committed to advocating for the resources that help every student read above grade level, achieve academically and graduate prepared with the confidence and agency to determine their own futures.
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I’m also committed to responsible stewardship of the public dollars Chicagoans entrust to us—every dollar must be used strategically and transparently. We can fight for every dollar our children are owed without gambling with the dollars they already have.

That’s Governance. -

👉🏾 Flip through the pics & 👀 the poem I wrote that breaks it down.

Join Us at TIFF (Toronto Film Festival) - It’s Freedom Time! ⌚️- Time To Have Real Dialogue- ⏳ Time For Healing- & RE/Pair - 19 pairs of Black & Jewish Thinkers & Culture Cultivators Engage in Wide-Ranging unguarded conversations about their Families, Communities, Shared Histories and points of difference. As ideas, fears and personal stories surface- The film reveals what can happen when we make space to listen, connect and keep communication alive.

Join Us at TIFF (Toronto Film Festival) - It’s Freedom Time! ⌚️- Time To Have Real Dialogue- ⏳ Time For Healing- & RE/Pair - 19 pairs of Black & Jewish Thinkers & Culture Cultivators Engage in Wide-Ranging unguarded conversations about their Families, Communities, Shared Histories and points of difference. As ideas, fears and personal stories surface- The film reveals what can happen when we make space to listen, connect and keep communication alive.

TONIGHT WE HANGIN - TALKIN’ Politics At The HIDE OUT! See ya there!

🚨🚨🔔🔔🔔-4 Those Who Treasure 🪎🪎 WORDS!
I’m not fond of looking backwards, I’m also not the guy stuck Re-living his “Highschool Glory” years. At the same time - I believe that if we don’t frame the narrative of our experiences- it’s left to algorithms & misunderstanding to form for us. 20 years ago today I released my 1st major album on ALLIDO/ Sony J.Records- It was the first time I’d been put in a position to tell the 🌎 my story of The South/East Side of Chicago as I experienced it. At this moment in time the top 3 Raps songs on urban radio were • Young Joc (Its Goin Down) • Snap Yo Fingers (Lil Jon) & • Lean Wit it, Roc Wit it (Dem Franchise Boys) - I titled my project Blue Collar in honor of the hard working people that raised & nurtured me in community & stood on Bus Stops 🚏🚎 to put in 12hrs to feed families. I was 27yrs old and saw a mainstream narrative in music that every young Black man sold dope 💊💉 & every young woman was to be degraded in the club. On the Opening song Dynomite produced by I said “I know more Real 🥷 at UHaul than Haul Crack” - this was the beginning of the Execs at Sony realizing i wouldnt be compliant or aligned with radio standards of the time. to & for believing in me & pushing for my authentic voice to shine ✨ Honestly I had the time of my Life making this project and working with Legends like - - who produced “More” & of course Icons like - and my childhood friend - I must also confess that Dr. Donda West helped shape my self-awareness in a moment when young boys were being recruited into an industry that actively turned us against one another for entertainment & profit. Some of us were mature enough to make smash hits 🎤🎙️and keep good spirits that allowed repair later - however - we were all traumatized in one way or another. Ive come to believe theres no ultimate success that doesn’t leave Scars. Over the decades I’ve turned my scars into the Art Of Kintsugi/ Griot Practices & Taoism. I pray Blue Collar continues to vibrate healing. S/O