How to Succeed in Hip-Hop Without Selling Your Soul

Jasiri X performing at Mr. Smalls Theater in Pittsburgh, PA (Photo by Da Button Pusha) 

I can’t front, I’ve had an incredible year so far. From traveling to Palestine, to relaunching the 1Hood Media Academy, we even went on vacation for the first time in 8 years! These past few weeks have been just as great. 1Hood Media Academy graduate, Willy James traveled with me and Paradise Gray to a performance I had at Penn State with Rebel Diaz and produced this incredible short film called, “A Day with Jasiri X”.

httpv://youtu.be/BT35iubgL8k

I also began moderating a panel, put together by Bakari Kitwana and Rap Sessions, called “America’s Most Wanted, Hip-Hop , the Media, and the Prison Industrial Complex”.  The first discussion was at the University of Rochester and featured Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton speaking very candidly about race and the media. The second panel was at the University of Chicago where we spoke about the violence in Chicago and what part Rap music plays in how Black youth are portrayed. The panel featured Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Marc Lamont Hill, NAACP Criminal Justice Director Niaz Kasravi, Amanda Klonsky, Arthur “Silky Slim”Reed and Dr. Beth Ritchie and can be viewed here.

My label, Wandering Worx Entertainment has begun leaking some of the songs I recored for “Ascension” that didn’t make the final album. Last week they dropped “Day 2” which is actually the very first song I record for the album and features singer songwriter Carlitta Durand who has appeared on tracks with 9th Wonder and Little Brother.

Did I mention I got a chance to be on a panel with and perform with the Legendary KRS-One?

This Saturday I’ll be in Philly performing in honor of the of the 60th birthday celebration for Mumia Abu Jamal!

That same night I’ll be back in Pittsburgh joining artists alongside Legalize PA to raise awareness about the legalization of Marijuana.

All in all I can honestly say I’m blessed to pursue my passion and live out my dreams on my own terms.