Emcees often use chess metaphors to boast about their
intellect, but several hip-hop figures this week are taking things more
literally.
The Hip Hop Chess
Federation’s (HHCF) CEO Adisa
Banjoko, will host a panel, “Chess and Life Strategies,” Tuesday at O’Connell
High School in San Francisco, Califorbia.
The panel will feature Immortal
Technique, San Quinn and Hip-Hop Congress Director DLabrie.
“Immortal
Technique and San Quinn are
living legends to so many young people who love Hip-Hop,” Banjoko said in a press release for the
event. “Issues of poverty, ignorance, gentrification and violence have
ravaged both of their respective cities. The HHCF wants to teach young people of all races, cultures, classes
and faiths they have more options in life that it appears.“
Students who attend the panel will receive a limited number
of copies of Ubisoft’s Chessmaster 11
computer game and the book The Art of
Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence, by Josh Waitzen, who has also participated in a HHCF panel.
The HHCF has previously
hosted panels with the likes of RZA,
DJ QBert, Rakaa Iriscience of Dilated
Peoples, Dr. Daaim Shabazz and
others. The organization aims to inspire youth to enhance their social and
academic lives by fusing chess, music and martial arts while giving them access
to professional athletes, artists and chess players.
Other schools interested in working with the organization
can visit http://hiphopchess.blogspot.com.
