WATCH: Adisa Banjoko and RZA on HEC-TV in St. Louis

Then the exhibit on Hip-Hop Chess opened up at the World Chess Hall of Fame, HEC-TV covered it. They just now released the footage and we are sure you will love it. In our opinion, it is the best and most complete coverage there is on this exhibit so far.

WATCH: http://www.hectv.org/video/16638/world-chess-hall-of-fame-living-like-kings-hophip-chess-january-2015/

Jen Shahade giving great tips for beginners!!

Hip-Hop Chess Federation 2013 Year in Review

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Year in Review 2013

Gumby, Asheru, Honorable Jimme Edwards, Adisa Banjoko, WCHOF Dir. Susan Barrett, Dr. James Peterson and Mike Relm

2013 was a busy year for the HHCF. We just wanted to take a minute to think some folks who helped make 2013 a year of growth despite the struggle. If you for some reason do not see your name, you have to know that the HHCF is deeply appreciative of every person, for every ounce of help given. Know that if you need us to return the favor we will be there.

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation at Harvard University

This year HHCF had a chance to present at a small event at Harvard University. We love Harvard (Adisa was lucky enough to have spoken there twice before). With the help of RZA from Wu-Tang Clan Adisa was able to get there. It was a great presentation.

Shoutout to Brian Coleman for his help in getting Adisa there, and being a fantastic host. Most people don’t know Adisa went straight from SF, to Boston, to a short nap, to fly right back to LA and shoot the Opera House Massacre. Then he drove with Gumby and his amazing wife Pam right up the coast to back to SF.  

Opera House Massacre

This was a project created by HHCF and video wizard Mike Relm to illustrate the connections between chess and jiu jitsu. Even got some cool support from Jesse Cale, Gumby, Henry Akins, Rener Gracie and Rakaa Iriscience. When it first dropped, I knew as peoples understanding of chess and jiu jitsu grew, the video would grow with it. We’ve got just under 40k hits and growing! The beat bangs, and moves are crispy. We will plan to have more experimental vids about Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts coming in 2014. Shout out to the World Chess Hall of Fame for supporting us pushing the artistic envelope on that one.

This was shot at Are 51 (aka secret location at Youtube film center in LA). They were amazing and everybody who helped make it happen- we love you.

SF Examiner Feature on HHCF

Anita Abedian did a great story on HHCF in the SF Examiner. It opens with a story that illustrates the extent HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko is willing to go to get a message to kids who are forgotten by many.

HHCF having fun with the youth at Innovative Concepts Academy in St. Louis

HHCF Sets it Off in St. Louis

Because of the kindness and open mind and spirit of Jennifer Shahade, we got an invitation to do some education events in St. Louis by the World Chess Hall of Fame. WCHOF Director, Susan Barrett has an amazing team (shoutout Laura, Shannon and Amanda) and amazing vision for how chess can help kids. The HHCF brought a team of folks including Gumby from Heroes Martial Arts, rapper Asheru, from the Boondocks Theme Song, Dr. James Peterson and Mike Relm. We went to Judge Jimmie Edwards Innovative Concepts Academy, Confluence Academy and St. Louis juvenile hall talking about how chess and enrich young minds and lives.

Beyond that, we got to work with and learn a lot from Jen, Maurice, Yasser and all the other cool folks from the St. Louis Chess Club (what up Mike and Matt!). Plus the food was off the hook.  

It was like going to the Mecca of chess. It really helped us understand the purpose of HHCF and the heavy lifting that must be done to save American minds. We look forward to doing more amazing things with WCHOF in 2014. We can’t wait to get back out there.

HHCF and CTRL Industries

This year Rakaa Iriscience ( a tireless warrior for Hip-Hop Chess Federation) connected us to magnificent art and mind Blayne Barlow. He runs a clothing brand CTRL Industries. They promote self control and showcasing the beauty of jiu jitsu subculture. We did an ad together with one of the best jiu jitsu raps ever done by Kalhi . Shout out to Chris and Christine Nguyen, David McLeod and Yin Dumela for making such a great commercial for CTRL’s Rook II jiu jitsu kimono.  You can listen to an extended version of the song with an intro from Ryron Gracie right HERE! Just click the player to the right.

HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko Address at San Jose City Hall

This was a talk our Founder, Adisa Banjoko gave to more than 300 students from across San Jose. It got a fantastic response and it illustrates why HHCF is leading the charge for education innovation.

HHCF Breakdown of Methodology

Adisa Banjoko and music producer Ronnie Lee at Hiero Day holding down the 64.

A lot of what we do, specifically has been kept in the dark by design. It was not done to be sneaky, the HHCF methodology has been being tested for the last 7 years now. But this year, HHCF Founder decided to share more of what is happening and why this odd fusion of Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts works. These were things beyond 3PA > 1NT and the PPC Code. Articles like One Big Chess Game, A Techincal Flow and Chess Clock began to highlight their unique approach to how chess and life are connected. Some of these articles will be published in full form in Adisa Banjokos’ upcoming book Live The Game slated for release in May of 2014.

HHCF Street Games Vol. 1 Mixtape

HHCF ended the year releasing a FREE profanity free mixtape. Twenty-five powerful songs from artits from all over the world that deal with peace, love, unity and having fun. DJ Rob Flow and Ronnie Lee led the music charge on this project. Songs like Chess Clock, One Big Chess Game, 64 Squares in the Cipher and others really showed that HHCF is on another level and unlike any other organization out there.  

There was much more to say, but we wanted to just thank all the people who made the above happen. We’d also like to acknowledge some of the following people and institutions for their help and support in 2013 : RZA, GZA, Rugged Monk, Tam, Rakaa Iriscience, Onthemat.com, Paul Moran and everybody at Open Mat Radio, www.sfgoldman.com, Tom Callos, everybody at Heroes Martial Arts, Chasing Lions Cafe in San Francisco, Joe Schloss, John O’Connell High School (Mark Alvarado, Mr. Flores, G, Mama Bev, Steve, Bonacorso, Moskowitz, Kay Hones and Goldstien) , Demone Carter and Future Arts Now, Zak and Salwa of Northstar School,  Andrew “Society” Bigelow, San Jose Universal Zulu Nation Chapter, SF All Tribes Universal Zulu Nation Chapter, Brycen, Rahman Jamaal, Daaim Shabazz, The Shakoor Family, Santini Family, Kurt Osiander, Nick Greene and Ralph Gracie, Ryron, Ralek and Rener Gracie (you guys rock), Seven Trees Music Center, Ed and Kiersten from Seven Trees Community Center in San Jose, Clyde and everybody at Flux Research, Chess.com, Kristen and JP, David Bitton and EVERY artist and producer for the HHCF Mixtape.

HHCF Feat. in St. Louis American!

                             Photo Credit: Shannon Bailey 

Adisa Banjoko, journalist and founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation, visited St. Louis recently to highlight the powerful fusion of chess, hip-hop and activism.

He convened experts including James Braxton Peterson, founder of Hip-Hop Scholars, LLC; and Asheru (born Gabriel Benn), a Peabody award-winning journalist and youth activist. Asheru is also a hip-hop artist who created The Boondocks theme song.

Banjoko led panel discussions for at-risk youth at Innovative Concept Academy, Confluence Academy and for detained youth at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Banjoko is a self-proclaimed nonviolent revolutionary. This ideology is at the core of his organization, based in the San Francisco area, which aims to curb youth violence by teaching youth the game of chess. He stated that St. Louis has a lot of violent crime; the city consistently ranks as one of the nation’s most dangerous cities. READ THE FULL STORY HERE 

SF Examiner Feature Profiles HHCF's Raheem Payton and Antonio Godoy

Senior Raheem Payton was oblivious to the students crowding around him, sitting on a bench in the middle of the quad, deep in thought about the consequences of moving his knight forward. His opponent in this chess game, security guard Adisa Banjoko, waited patiently for him to meditate on making his move. Suddenly, the silence was broken as the front doors of the school burst open.

“They got guns!” A student screamed, as four males brandishing handguns rushed through the lobby, their voices barking orders at the students to move out of the way.

Banjoko quickly moved into action, covering another security guard, Juan Gallardo, who was standing in front of the student the intruders were after. Payton sat frozen at the table, watching the scene unfold.

The intruders, including a 13-year-old suspected gang member, engaged in a verbal dispute with the guards before noticing security cameras and abandoning their pursuit of a rival gang member. Payton held his breath those minutes before they ran from the building.“All I could think was what is going on here,” he recalls, “It happened so fast, the way they ran in ready to fight.”

READ THE FULL STORY HERE!

HHCF and World Chess Hall of Fame Take Over St. Louis + Adisa Interviews GM Maurice Ashley

LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW HERE: www.bishopchronicles.com

There are certain times in your life, where you feel it coming together. Right now is one of those moments. Shortly before I started Hip-Hop Chess Federation I interviewed Grandmaster Maurice Ashley for my second book Lyrical Swords Vol. 2: Westside Rebellion. The book also included interviews with RZA, GZA, Afrika Bambaataa and many others.

I met him face to face through Jen Shahade in NY at a HHCF/9Queens event with the RZA. He was very supportive of the momentum we had. I told him then that there was no purpose in me doing what I did if he, Jen, Josh Waitzkin and others did not exist. I explained that HHCF for most serious chess players and fans is misunderstood. That I point people in their direction, knowing that you (meaning Maurice, Jen, Josh, and other GM's, WGM's etc.) do all the true heavy lifting.

Over the years he and I would talk, or email, but we could never seem to catch up.

Thankfully, Jen Shahade introduced me to Susan Barrett from the World Chess Hall of Fame and she invited Hip-Hop Chess Federation out to do several panel discussions on the history of where Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts interlock and how we can use it to inspire children toward self-mastery and self-discovery.

L to R Alan "Gumby" Marques, rapper Asheru, Judge Jimmie Edwards, Susan Barrett of World Chess Hall of Fame, Dr. James Peterson, Mike Relm at Innovative Concept Academy

The events they set up were nothing short of amazing. We went to the famous ICA school ran by Judge Jimmie Edwards. We hosted a panel at the St. Louis Library, the Confluence Academy (also one of the best schools I have ever been to!)  and a juvenile hall detention center. To stand on Marilyn St. in Saint Louis between the World Chess Hall of Fame and the St. Louis Chess Club is like standing between Meeca and Jerusalem. The energy is electric.

Adisa Banjoko addresses Confluence Academy 

Among the other amazing things that happened though, is, Maurice Ashley interviewed me during the championships. It was a shock and I was truly nervous beyond words during the interview. But later the next night, I got to interview him. It was amazing!!! He talked about his early years as a young chess player, his time playing with Jay-Z and an amazing chess hustler set up match he had with jazz legend Wynton Marsalis. This stuff is simply beautiful. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as much as we loved making it. St. Louis is a beautiful city and my experiences there made me a changed man. I understand chess culture better than I ever have.  

I want to thank a few people before I go and understand that the list is simply too long to really get everybody. But here it goes: Jen Shahade (you pulled the trigger on this, thank you so much!) Susan, Laura, Shannon, Amanda (great driving!), St. Louis Police Department (the two nicest cops I ever met after a fender bender was in St. Louie!), everybody at KMOX (Hi, Charlie and Debbie!),Matt Barrett, Mike, and everybody at the St. Louis Chess Club for their kindness to the HHCF squad and my family. You all opened by eyes to a new level of chess culture and duty to serve the community. Thank you for making me a better citizen of the world.

Ashley and Seirawan take on all comers at ICA in St. Louis

To my HHCF squad (The Furious Five): Mike Relm, Dr. James Peterson, Alan "Gumby" Marques, Asheru and Dr. Daaim Shabazz. You guys take the science and art of Hip-Hop, chess, martial arts and education to the next level. I could not imagine having a better experience in St. Louis than I had with you. Thank you for trusting my vision and bringing your best selves to the Live The Game event. A special shout out to Meek Gaborski (the titanium backbone of this organization) David Frazee Esq., Arash Daneshzadeh (HHCF's Education Director), LyRyan Russell, Elaine Moskowitze, Kay Hones, Pablo Fuentes,  T-KASH, Dlabrie, Shamako and Rahman, Josh Waitzkin, Joe Schloss, Dawn-Elissa Fischer, Davey D, RZA, Rakaa Iriscience, Ralek, Ryron and Rener Gracie, Denny Prokopos, Eddie Bravo and a lot of the real Hip-Hop, chess and jiu jitsu folks that really put it down for us back when nobody believed in the fusion of Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts.  

To Judge Jimmie Edwards at ICA, the St. Louis Library, to everybody at Confluence Academy and St. Louis Juvenile Detention Center I want to thank you for your open minds, for giving us a chance to speak to your youth and trusting that our vision could help. Any time you need us, please reach out. You all do amazing work and everybody at HHCF was left inspired beyond measure.

FOOD SHOUTS: Lesters, Bar Italia, Drunken Fish and PAPPYS (thanks for the extra bottle of sauce, but TSA gaffled it).

PHOTO CREDITS: Shots of ICA credit Daaim Shabazz. Photos of Maurice Ashley and Adisa Banjoko credit Mike Relm.

BREAKING: HHCF at World Chess Hall of Fame!!! (Asheru, Dr. James Peterson, Mike Relm and Gumby on deck!)

Live the Game: National Experts Convene in St. Louis

to Highlight the Powerful Fusion of Chess, Hip Hop, and Martial Arts

March 4, 2013 (St. Louis, MO) -- Look closely and you’ll see it at the beginning of the new Justin Timberlake video featuring Jay-Z. Read the lyrics of “General Principles” by GZA. Check out the album cover for Pawns in the Game, the 1990 album by Public Enemy emcee Professor Griff. It also shows up with RZA in scenes featuring hip hop characters on the hit TV show Californication.

It’s chess. And at first glance, it doesn’t appear to have a link to hip hop. Throw martial arts into the mix and you really have to have your finger on the pulse of popular culture to know about the connection.

A group of national experts who really do know do “have their finger on the pulse” – and know the impact that this combination can have on young people – will meet in St. Louis on May 8 to present to students of the Innovative Concept Academy. A second session with local leaders will be held at the Schlafly Branch of the St. Louis Public Library.

“These presentations will illustrate how chess and martial arts have been woven into the history of hip hop. Further, it will show how the blending of art, logic, and physical fitness guide young people to self-discovery, self-mastery, and nonviolence,” said Adisa Banjoko, journalist and founder of the Hip Hop Chess Federation.

Banjoko, who has been tapped to present at institutions like Harvard University and Brown University, assembled the group and will moderate discussions. Panelists include Dr. James Peterson (founder of Hip Hop Scholars, LLC, and director of Africana studies at Lehigh University), Mike Relm Youtube video remix icon and co-founder of Bishop Chronicles podcast show, Asheru (Peabody Award-winning journalist, creator of The Boondocks theme song, educator, and youth activist), and Alan "Gumby" Marques (Black belt in jiu-jitu and founder of Heroes Martial Arts).

The presentations are sponsored and coordinated by The World Chess Hall of Fame.

“Our focus at the World Chess Hall of Fame is to show how the game of chess has an impact on society. The work of Adisa and the other panelists has been life-changing for many people. The examples they will share will show how this change can happen in St. Louis as well,” said Susan Barrett, executive director of the World Chess Hall of Fame.

Details

Date: May 8, 2013

Presentation 1: 10 am, Innovative Concept Academy

Presentation 2: 4:00  pm, Schlafly Branch of the St. Louis Public Library

About Adisa Banjoko

Adisa Banjoko is a respected journalist, lecturer and the founder of the Hip Hop Chess Federation. His organization has appeared in the New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Washington Post, and Vibe magazine. He’s also been a guest on NPR and Good Morning America.

About Dr. James Peterson

Dr. James Braxton Peterson (Duke ’93, UPENN 2003) is the Director of Africana Studies and Associate Professor of English at Lehigh University. He has been a visiting lecturer and preceptor in African American Studies at Princeton University and the Media Coordinator for the Harvard University Hip Hop Archive. He is also the founder of Hip Hop Scholars, LLC, an association of Hip Hop generational scholars dedicated to researching and developing the cultural and educational potential of Hip Hop, urban, and youth cultures.

About Mike Relm

Mike Relm is a pioneer video remix artist who has toured with The Blue Man Group, Tony Hawk and rocked stages at Coachella, Bonnaroo and The House of Blues. He has more than 13 million hits on Youtube. Notable remixes include Iron Man 2, Old Spice, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World,Doctor Who, and Harry Potter. His Punisher/Spirit/Transporter remix won the 2009 Webby Award for Best Mashup/Remix.

About Asheru

Asheru, born Gabriel Benn, is a hip hop artist, educator, and youth activist. He is widely known for performing the opening and closing themes for the popular TV series, The Boondocks, as well as his pioneering and innovative efforts to forward the Hip Hop Education movement.

About Alan “Gumby” Marques

Gumby is a first degree black belt in Jiu Jutsu and is best know as the co-founder of OTM, one of the world’s leading sources for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is an author, commentator, coach, referee, and instructor.

About the World Chess Hall of Fame

The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) is a nonprofit organization committed to building awareness for the cultural and artistic significance of chess. It opened on September 9, 2011, in St. Louis’s Central West End after moving from previous locations in New York and Miami.

The WCHOF is housed in an historic 15,900 square-foot building that includes three floors of galleries, the U.S. and World Chess Halls of Fame, and the stylish Q Boutique. It provides visitors with a unique opportunity to use chess as a platform for learning, exploring, and seeing their world in entirely new ways.

It is the only cultural institution of its kind in the world and the only solely chess-focused collecting institution in the U.S.

For more information, visit www.worldchesshof.org. 

LISTEN NOW!: New Episodes of Bishop Chronicles

                                            LISTEN NOW: www.bishopchronicles.com 

EXCLUSIVE: HHCF Founder Launches Podcast Show

                          Adisa & Mike Relm enjoy a quiet  game at the St. Louis Chess Club

We are proud to announce a new podcast show launched produced by Mike Relm called The Bishop Chronicles. Its about technology, music, chess and life. Please listen to it now and share it :

The Bishop Chronicles

We want to thank our sponsors www.thechesspiece.com , www.ctrlindustries, www.worldchessHOF.org and of course, YOU.