Rakaa Iriscience, Sunspot Jonz, Zion I and Tajai Speak on Rap, Chess and Life
October 21st 2013 San Jose, CA – The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) is happy to announce it will release its first mixtape album Street Games Vol. 1 will be available for FREE download on November 15th 2013 at www.hiphopchessfederation.org. Street Games Vol. 1 mixtape will highlight the connections between music, chess and martial arts and their connections to unity, strategy and nonviolence. It is 100% curse free which making it an ideal teaching tool for urban education programs.
A Plus from Hieroglyphics hosts Street Games Vol. 1 and DJ Rob Flow oversaw the production. Additional production was provided by Ronnie Lee of the Seven Trees Music Center in San Jose as well as contributions by Mike Relm and Rhapsodist. Rakaa Iriscience of Dilated Peoples, Sunspot Jonz of Living Legends, Zumbi of Zion I, Black Knights, Quadir Lateef, Jasiri X, Asheru (Boondocks Theme Song), Tajai from Hieroglyphics are all featured on the HHCF compilation. Additional wisdom illustrating the power of chess, martial arts and Hip-Hop are given by authors Jeff Chang and Dr. Joe Schloss, Jiu Jitsu master and UFC coach Ryron Gracie and Women’s chess Grandmaster Jennifer Shahade.
Part of preparing for the November 15th release, a series of songs and articles illlustrating the connected nature of chess and life will drop:
LISTEN TO: 64 Squares in the Cipher (Sunspot Jonz, Zumbi and Rakaa Iriscience) complete with Rap Genius annotations. THEN READ: 64 Squares in the Cipher Essay by Adisa Banjoko.
LISTEN TO: A Technical Flow (Kalhi with Introduction by Ryron Gracie) complete with Rap Genius annotations. THEN READ: A Technical Flow Essay by Adisa Banjoko
Adisa Banjoko, Founder of the HHCF stated “ Street Games Vol. 1 was made with no budget. All of the rappers, engineers and producers gave their time and their art to make this compilation possible. This is a project done funded with love only. Neither the HHCF nor any of the artists involved will profit from Street Games Vol. 1. This compilation is a testament to the power of art over aggression. In it we illustrate life strategies through chess, illustrate triumph of patience through the pain and a showcase a wisdom beyond war. We are thankful to all the artists, martial artists and educators who helped bring this idea to reality. It was orchestrated with the hope that teens and young adults trapped in American urban war zones will be inspired to actualize their potential.”
HHCF’s Street Games Vol. 1 Mixtape was made possible in large part because of the support from companies like OnTheMat.com, The Chess Drum, Chess.com, CTRL Industries clothing, Hip-Hop Revolution on Facebook, Seventh Son Tattoo, and Open Mat Radio. A special thanks to Tools of War Jams, Hip-Hop Congress, All Tribes Zulu Nation, San Jose Zulu Nation and 206 Zulu Nation chapters.
Street Games Vol. 1 will be available for free download November 15th at www.hiphopchessfederatino.org !
About HHCF: The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is the world’s first nonprofit (501c3) to fuse music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence. They host lectures, panels, and celebrity chess events to help at-risk, gang-impacted and gang intentional youth make better decisions in life. The HHCF has been featured on Good Morning America, Forbes, Chess Life, VIBE and Rolling Stone.