Adisa Banjoko Interviewed on Culture Chat Podcast by Mimi Chan

                      L to R Evidence, Brother Ali, Adisa Banjoko Rakaa Iriscience backstage at
                                                    Greek Theater UC Berkeley

I recently got interviewed by Mimi Chan for the Culture Chat Podcast. I met her through one of my friends from the martial arts world Gene Ching. This was a great interview. Not because of me, but because of her. I hope you like it. We talked a lot about education and working with the youth. LISTEN HERE: https://www.culturechatpodcast.com/hiphopchess/

Free HHCF event at Benny Adem in Oakland THIS SUNDAY!!!

Bring your family out to this event. Participate in open gaming, come learn and participate in a community discussion on chess and education.

Community Art Discussion in Oakland April 7!!

Alice Street Symposium Addresses Gentrification, Displacement, and Cultural Resiliency

On April 7, the Community Rejuvenation Project (CRP) will host the Alice Street Symposium on Community Engagement Strategies and Best Practices. The event includes a screening of director Spencer Wilkinson’s “Alice Street Short” documentary film, two presentations, and a moderated panel discussion followed by an audience Q&A. The event’s objective is to facilitate a dialogue between community leaders, arts practitioners, funders, and public officials focusing on community engagement strategies using arts to address issues of gentrification, displacement, and resiliency.

As Oakland’s gentrification epidemic continues, cultural arts practitioners and low- and middle-income residents now find themselves threatened with displacement -- which creates an opportunity for common ground with historically-underserved communities of color. “Alice Street” spotlights these issues through a unique perspective – the painting of a massive mural which becomes a connecting bridge between two neighboring yet seemingly-disparate communities, as well as a symbol of the gentrification threatening communities or color and artists, and the struggle for equitable development.

The symposium will further explore key issues and themes of the film: the role the cultural arts play in resiliency efforts of historically-underserved communities; community responses to concerns and threats of displacement; the impact of new development on ethnically-diverse neighborhoods; how murals transform and reshape blighted neighborhoods; the importance of community engagement efforts in public art projects; and how public art can be a connecting link to a city’s cultural history. This event will engage and inform at-risk populations, culture keepers, arts advocacy organizations, and policymakers by identifying and sharing cultural resiliency best practices as part of anti-displacement efforts which seek to mitigate the negative impacts of gentrification.

Presentations by CRP founder/Executive Director Desi Mundo and Roy Chan of the Chinatown Oral History Project will share stories of cultural resiliency and the evolution of community engagement models. Chan will focus on Tai Chi practitioners in Maidson Square Park who have faced constant threats of displacement and Oakland Chinatown’s long history of resiliency in the face of land grabs by the city of Oakland, developers, and BART. “With Oakland's recent push for new development such as the Lake Merritt Station Area Plan, this story highlights ever more the importance of sustaining cultural identity in long-standing ethnic neighborhoods like Chinatown,” Chan said.

Mundo will relate the evolution of CRP’s community engagement model and the development of their pavement to policy approach to public art policy over the past decade, as well as how cultural arts practitioners can play important roles in community-based advocacy efforts around equitable development and calls for increased investment in the cultural arts as an economic development strategy. “Without embedded arts advocates within the structural framework of the city, artists have been forced to speak up for themselves and navigate the complex processes to stay afloat, as rental costs increase exponentially,” Mundo said. “The arts are critical tools in the fight against gentrification and the retention of cultural identity. At the core of that is community engagement."

The panel discussion will be moderated by CRP Communications and Policy Director Eric Arnold, and features local historians, culture keepers, artists, and organizers.

The symposium will take place on Friday April 7, 2017 from 12 PM - 3 PM at the Elihu Harris Memorial Auditorium at the State Building and is free to the public. This event is sponsored by the Akonadi Foundation and Assemblyman Rob Bonta’s office. For more information, contact Eric Arnold at escribe68@gmail.com/(510)-681-8213 or visit www.crpbayarea.org and www.alicestreetfilm.com.

BREAKING: HHCF Launch Chess & Jiu-Jitsu Classes!!

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Unveils a Fusion of Chess and Jiu-Jitsu to Promote Peace on the Streets  

HHCF Launches Chess & Jiu-Jitsu Class to Promote Fitness and Nonviolence

3/15/17 San Jose, CA- Hip-Hop Chess Federation 501(c)3 is proud to announce it has created a Chess & Jiu-Jitsu class for kids, teens and adults. The class is the brainchild of the HHCF’s Founder, Adisa “The Bishop” Banjoko. Mr. Banjoko holds the rank of brown belt and is author of The Iron Hook Scroll (a book on submission holds) and the self improvement book Bobby, Bruce & the Bronx: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess. The book illustrates how strategies from Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts can be used to build short and long term goal setting. It seamlessly connects concepts found in shows like The Get Down, Luke Cage and The Breaks to daily life. His lectures on this topic have brought his unique brand of wisdom to podiums at Harvard, Stanford, Oberlin College in U Conn among others. The Bishop was recently the recipient of The Legacy Award by Rock The School Bells for his consistent work in the field. The organization is an innovator in the space of STEAM and STEM.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Rap artists like Rakaa Iriscience of Dilated Peoples, Public Enemy DJ Johnny “Juice” Rosado, and even R&B artists like Usher have spent time learning the art. DJ Qbert even made a song about it on his last album.  At the same time jiu-jitsu masters Rickson Gracie, Ryron Gracie, Carlos Machado and others have shown a consistent affinity for the game of chess. The HHCF however is the first organization to ever fuse both arts into one class.

“This class is built for average people to discover and actualize their extraordinary potential” stated The Bishop.  “We show the overlapping mental and physical themes between chess and jiu-jitsu. It was something I envisioned when I started HHCF a decade back. I recently had a chess student I wanted to test my theories on. In less than four months we took him from ‘What is jiu-jitsu?’ to taking second at the US Open. Now what I taught him, I want to teach around the world in hope of promoting peace and nonviolence across the globe.”

The organization teaches that chess is jiu-jitsu for the mind and jiu-jitsu is chess for the body.”

Right now the HHCF Chess & Jiu-Jitsu class has a solid group of  students (a mix of kids, teens and college age adults) taking the class and the growing interest shows no sign of slowing down. “People always say the Hip-Hop community never offers solutions to violence in the world. Our program proves them all wrong.”

For more information on workshops and how to join visit www.hiphopchess.com

Adisa Banjoko on Tupac, Machiavelli and Chess at Skyline College THIS SAT

From Machiavelli to Makaveli: The Strategic Life of Tupac Shakur

RTSB Facilitator: Adisa Banjoko

This presentation will cover Tupac’s life in jail and how reading the works of Niccolo Machiavelli and Sun Tzu’s Art of War helped him prepare for his years at Death Row.

If you live in the bay area you should come out to this!!! 

For more info visit www.rocktheschoolbells.com 

HHCF Chess Club Visits America's Oldest Chess Club!

Recently the HHCF chess class at John O'Connell HS in San Francisco had the honor of being given a tour of the Mechanics Institute Library and Chess Club. We were warmly greeted by GM Nick de Firmian and Paul Whitehead.

For those that do not know Mechinics' is the OLDEST chess club in America.

I wanted to share a quick clip of Nick talking with me after teaching a lesson to the HHCF kids

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNuuiPJgYcr/?taken-by=realhiphopchess

and then a short two part piece of Paul showing a nice counter to Queens Gambit.

Part 1: Queens Gambit

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNvRVYlgPPE/?taken-by=realhiphopchess

Part 2: Queens Gambit

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNvSL7Zgt4U/?taken-by=realhiphopchess

I cannot thank them enough for their kindness, open minds, hearts and of course- their technical knowledge.

For more on Mechnics' visit www.chessclub.org

KPIX News Channel 5 Covers Hip-Hop Chess Federation

    Kenny Choi did a fantastic look at HHCF for Channel 5!! Check out the link here on:  KPIX NEWS . It does a great job of showing that the kids at John O'Connell's Chess and Life Strategies class is thriving. Looking forward to next semester. If you would like our class at your school visit www.hiphopchess.com .

HHCF Classes on Chess & Life Strategies NOW Enrolling!!!

HHCF is now enrolling kids in classes on chess, chess and life strategies and chess and jiu-jitsu and youth entrepreneurship . Our classes are fun, all ages and help kids of all backgrounds learn to value the power of their own mind and body.  We also offer amazing Hip-Hop dance classes taught by Grant Torino and Karate classes taught by Sensei Anthony Thomas! Visit www.hiphopchess.com to learn more. 

LISTEN: The Cipher Podcast Talks to Adisa Banjoko about life BEFORE HHCF (parental discretion advised)

Over the trajectory of our existence, there have been many cool stories done our organization. We have had amazing features in Forbes, Good Morning America, Chess Life, Hard Knock Radio and others. This however, was very special. It was special because I don't think anyone has ever researched my life so intensely as Shawn Setaro when he decided to interview me for The Cipher Podcast. If you like Hip-Hop even a little bit, you must listen. He is my favorite Hip-Hop podcaster on the planet. Not because he did this story on me and the creation of HHCF. But, because he tirelessly tries to understand every person he interviews on a higher level.

Please give this a listen and understand that a lot of what is on here deals with my life before HHCF. So there is gonna be some talk about cops, guns, memories of some of my folks like Eazy and Tupac and a lot of the pain I went through that brought me to creating the HHCF.

                               Shawn Setaro creator of The Cipher Podcast and Forbes writer.


I hope you like it. I'm sorry to Shawn for taking so long to formally post it.

HERE IT IS: The Cipher Podcast interview of Adisa Banjoko by Shawn Setaro

HHCF Panel on Hip-Hop & Violence August 6th in The Bay Area!

For Immediate Release

Crystal Silva

Contact@hiphopchessfederation.org

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Hosts Community Panel to Discuss

Hip-Hop and Violence

RZA of Wu-Tang Clan Sponsors HHCF Community Forum on Rap’s Role in Promoting Peace

July 18, 2016- San Francisco, CA - Due to the climate of violence in America the Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) is hosting a panel discussion on Hip-Hop and Violence. “HHCF has been fusing Hip-Hop, chess and the martial arts to help kids conquer violence for ten years. In the recent wave of violence in America and the around the world we are hosting a panel on how people art are using it to educate and inspire people to be more peaceful servants of our community.” August 6, from 2-6 PM at GM Services in association with HHCF located at 42660 Christy St. Suite B, Fremont, CA. This event is free for all ages!

Panelists include rapper Casual of Hieroglyphics, Sociology Instructor at Merritt College Dr. Charity Clay, rapper CMG of the pioneer woman's rap group Conscious Daughters and St. Louis Art Consultant Susan Barrett of Barrett Barrera Projects. A special MMA guest panelist will be named shortly.

After the panel there will be open chess gaming to be played by those who attend, Hip-Hop dance exhibitions and Brazilian jiu-jitsu exhibition matches as well. The organization's goal is to help individuals discover themselves and respect the humanity of others through the fusion of art and logic.

The event is being funded in large part by RZA actor and founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan. RZA is on the HHCF Board, a 501c3 nonprofit.  RZA and Adisa have worked together in St. Louis promoting art as a path to peace to the youth during the St. Louis uprisings surrounding Mike Brown. Due to RZA’s heavy recording and film schedule he cannot attend this event but knows the importance of it. The work RZA and Adisa accomplished in St. Louis is detailed in Adisa’s new book Bobby, Bruce & the Bronx: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess.

Beyond the panel there will be exhibitions of Hip-Hop dance, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and open chess gaming.

“RZA supported us when few understood the importance of what we do. His kindness and consistence with HHCF is unparalleled” stated Adisa Banjoko. “ With so many weapons of war on American streets and in the world, there has never been a better time than now to be nonviolent. When I look at the streets of Minnesota, Louisiana and Dallas the one thing I’m sure of is that those choosing violence as a solution are not winning!!  I don’t see anyone winning with violence right now. I see all sides in America losing. My faith in the power of innovating nonviolence has never been greater and the time has never been better than now to create more peace.”

For more information call 888-335-4418 or RSVP @ https://www.facebook.com/events/1738612206381189/ or follow them on IG & Snap @realhiphopchess

Adisa Banjoko Removes Afrika Bambaataa from Book Cover, Changes Title

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PR Contact: Crystal Silva

contact@hiphopchessfederation.org

888-588-4418

Author Removes Hip-Hop Pioneer Afrika Bambaataa from Book Cover and Changes Book Title Amid Abuse Allegations

Controversial Rap Author Stands with Accusers

Oakland, CA 6/09/16-  Three Lions Press is proud to announce that the author has chosen to take Afrika Bamabaataa’s name and image off the cover of the book originally called  Bobby, Bruce & Bam: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess. The new title is  Bobby Bruce & The Bronx: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess written by Adisa Banjoko, aka The Bishop. It is for sale  on www.amazon.com right now. 

“While not being charged formerly by the police, the avalanche sexual abuse allegations against Afrika Bambaataa and the poor leadership of the inner circle inside his organization, Universal Zulu Nation (UZN)  made my decision easy” stated Adisa Banjoko. “Hip-Hop is an art  for the youth, by the youth. If they are not safe, then Hip-Hop itself has been threatened. I will defend the youth above any alliances with any adults who might act to the contrary. My new title is meant to celebrate the power of the youth  in The Bronx. It was a nightmare for me as an independent author and fan of his previous work to change everything. Nevertheless, it could never compare to the pain of his accusers. ” 

Adisa Banjoko was one of the first members of the Universal Zulu Nation in San Francisco back in the early 1990’s. After assessing the allegations against Afrika Bambaataa he wrote the first public UZN resignation letter. It outlined why he was  leaving the organization and his thoughts on  its many organizational and moral  failures.

Adisa’s first public discussion of the book cover change happened at Google Headquarters during a  Google Author’s Talk. Over the years the author has campaigned on the impact of this blending of art and logic at Harvard, Stanford, U Conn, Oberlin and many other universities. 

 Bobby, Bruce & the Bronx: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess is  extraordinary book that outlines how the  of rise of Bobby Fischer, Bruce Lee and the emergence of Hip-Hop unintentionally converged and influences Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts in America and the world in unexpected ways. It includes a workbook teaching the first 12 lessons teens and young adults can use to embrace chess as a life strategy tool. These lessons can be applied in your personal life, or business ventures. Get the book now at www.amazon.com The book serves as a disruptive blueprint that helps urban kids shift their approach to education, entrepreneurship, and life’s possibilities. 

“The  book is a celebration of the cognitive, physical and creative attributes of Hip-Hop. We also address the impact of violence on young learning minds. Many American children have PTSD and remain undiagnosed and untreated vets of urban war zones.  I saw this on the frontlines and my book is meant to be one of many solutions we can use to help American youth.” 

Adisa Banjoko, aka The Bishop is a respected disruptor in the space of education innovation. Adisa began his journalism career while still a high school student interviewing Eazy E shortly before the formation of NWA. Adisa  went on to become one of the first west coast writers for The Source, RapPages and VIBE among others. He broke some of the first profiles on artists like Tupac Shakur, Del, Mixmaster Mike, DJ Qbert, Hieroglyphics, Master P and many others in the rise of west coast rap in the early 1990s’. Adisa Banjoko is a powerful speaker who has lectured at many universities across the country including Harvard, Lehigh, Oberlin College, UC Berkeley and others. His ideas on chess, rap and martial arts have been seen in Forbes, Good Morning America, Black Enterprise, Ebony and the cover of Chess Life Magazine.

In 2006 after visiting incarcerated youth in San Francisco he created the Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF). The HHCF is a 501c3 non-profit that fuses music, chess and martial arts, to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence. in 2015, the HHCF was invited to teach the staff at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis on the connections between Hip-Hop and chess. The result was the Living Like Kings exhibit (which broke attendance records surpassing Bobby Fischer's). He and RZA of Wu-Tang Clan (who now serves on HHCF’s Board) spoke to high school youth and incarcerated youth in St. Louis during all off the rage and chaos after the death  of Mike Brown. Their efforts illustrated a nonviolent narrative largely overlooked by both mainstream media.

Bobby Bruce & The Bronx: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess outline how this unique fusion came to pass and the lives Adisa Banjoko has been able to change through it. The book highlights his his experiences while  in teaching kids in St. Louis  with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, his experiences fighting inner city school violence in The Bay Area and how rap music celebrate chess more than any other form of music on the planet. For more information on Adisa Banjoko and the Hip-Hop Chess Federation summer camps, events and activities visit www.hiphopchess.com !

                                                                      NEW COVER!!!!

   The old cover with Afrika Bambaataa on it. The allegations of child abuse by Bambaataa made headlines around April 8th 2016. The book dropped on April 10th 2016. 

Walking Away from The UZN: The Endgame

“It is not titles that honor men, but men that honor titles”. - Niccolo Machiavelli

Hip-Hop is an art for the youth, by the youth. If they are not safe, then Hip-Hop itself is not safe. This is an art that comes from the streets. I do not expect angelic behavior from all of its participants. If anything Hip-Hop teaches you about your own moral compass. Language and actions that you might think are unacceptable, I may not worry about or vice versa. Ultimately I believe that if the elders in Hip-Hop have the title of leaders, teachers, mentors and protectors of the community at large we have a duty to the youth that is greater than other alliances with adults. That is the case here. I don’t like Bill Cosby, but I love comedy forever. I don’t know what is going on with Afrika Bambaataa, but I will love Hip-Hop forever.

Today I want to formally resign from the Universal Zulu Nation (UZN). If you don’t know what the Universal Zulu Nation is I can only say: It is an organization that founded and organized what you know now as Hip-Hop. They have been the keepers and the custodians of the subculture since the early 1970’s. They have united many people across the world under the banner of Hip-Hop and they have been instrumental in negotiating peace treaties between rappers and other street organizations. It is impossible to quantify their value to the world of music, dance, art, or fashion- let alone the rap industry. So much of what you know, or what you think you know about Hip-Hop simply does not happen without the UZN. The founder of the UZN is Afrika Bambaataa. He is also known under the title The Amen Ra of Hip-Hop.

Recently many allegations from various individuals have named Afrika Bambaataa as a sexual predator. The things he has been accused of are not anything I plan to repeat right now. You can look them up for yourself.

I have been a public supporter and member since the early 1990’s. I have learned a lot from the UZN and been helped by the UZN on various levels over the years.

For the record, I do not know for sure that he is guilty of the accusations made against him. Anyone following these accusations against him can tell you it is very painful, bizarre and sad on many levels. It is also evolving in sporadic jumps and it is hard to keep track of things. As someone who runs a youth organization (the Hip-Hop Chess Federation Inc.)  I must err on the side of protecting the youth even if I am not 100% certain Afrika Bambaataa is guilty. I want parents and children to know that I will always stand with them. They will always have my ear first. Virtually every cultural and spiritual tradition makes it a point to acknowledge the innocent and sacred nature of children. As someone who has worked with the youth for well over a decade, I cannot watch this in silence and consider myself a man of the people.

In April I dropped  a book called Bobby, Bruce & Bam: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess. It is a book that highlights the connections of Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts as tools for self discovery and self mastery. I highlight a lot of other topics such as kids suffering from PTSD and how we can help them heal through music and chess.

Bobby Fischer, Bruce Lee and Afrika Bambaataa have stenciled images on the front cover as symbols of the roots of the fusion of the three art forms. I felt it was an honest tribute to their contributions to each art/sport. My book is the product of more than ten years of research and five years of direct work with at-risk, gang impacted and gang intentional youth in San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and St. Louis.

He has personally helped me and I don’t want to be ungrateful, but I do not want to defend a child predator. That is what makes my separation from UZN painful but mandatory work.

I once interviewed Bambaataa for my book Lyrical Swords. I was on a panel with Afrika Bambaataa at Harvard University in 2001. About five years later I had a situation with KRS-One that almost led to a physical altercation at Stanford University. It got very intense on both sides. Were it not for the efforts of Shamako Noble, Davey D, Popmaster Fabel and the direct intervention of Africa Bambaataa the chances of one of us, or both of us getting hurt or worse was pretty certain. I have to say as a matter of record that I have spoken with Afrika Bambaataa on the phone only about 3-4 times. I have been in his presence about 2-3 times. There is nothing in any of my interactions with him that would lead me to believe that he has done the things he has been accused of. At the same time I have to admit that I never had enough consistent contact to know him on a deeper level. I am not mentioning these things to give you for more compassion for him. I just want you to see the complexity and enormity of what I had to personally reflect upon when making this decision to step away.

Right now, my 501c3 nonprofit organization, The Hip-Hop Chess Federation works with kids across The Bay area and we are expanding. We pride ourselves in creating safe, clean affordable spaces for young people to enrich their minds and build their physical skills with us. We have been around for ten years now and our work has been authentically impactful. We count on the trust of parents and teachers and school administrators to do all that we do. Their trust in our work is what makes our impact possible.  

Looking at all of the allegations against Afrika Bambaataa I must say that all of it is deeply troubling. I have worked directly with a lot of teens who have been abused by trusted adults. I have seen the damage first hand. I cannot pretend to know exactly what is happening inside the UZN. However, something seems to have gone deeply wrong with Afrika Bambaataa and some of the top tier leadership.

That said, I want to say that I will no longer associate myself with the Universal Zulu Nation. I no longer consider myself a member. The father in me, the teacher in me, the protector of the youth that I strive to be cannot be in the proximity of the allegations made against Afrika Bambaataa and top tier leadership of UZN.

Further, my book will have a new title and new artwork. I am working now to change the title to Bobby, Bruce & The Bronx: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess. As an independent author, this is going to be costly for me and time consuming but I should have the new site and cover art complete within 60 days. Quite frankly I don’t have the money to make the changes, but I will find a way to get it done.

Moving forward I'm sure there will be many necessary conversations about what these accusations against Afrika Bambaataa mean. We will have to talk about Hip-Hop in many new ways. These accusations against Bam are forcing a lot of new conversations to happen that have not been happening. They will be excruciating for many of us. However, I think we may be looking at a purging of some of Hip-Hop’s toxic elements. Getting rid of them will refine the art form for future generations. Making that happen is more important to me than anything else.

Much Respect,

Adisa Banjoko aka The Bishop

Founder, Hip-Hop Chess Federation Inc.

Adisa Banjoko Speaks at Stanford University April 25th!!!

Hip-Hop Chess Founder Speaks at Stanford University

Author of Bobby Bruce & Bam Talks Chess, Hip-Hop and Nonviolence at Stanford

Oakland, CA 4/11/16-  Three Lions Press is proud to announce the release of a new book, Bobby Bruce & Bam: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess written by Adisa Banjoko, aka The Bishop. This extraordinary book outlines how the  of rise of Bobby Fischer, Bruce Lee and Afrika Bambaataa unintentionally converged and influences Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts in America in unexpected ways. It includes a workbook teaching the first 12 lessons people can use to embrace chess as a life strategy tool for school and business. The recently launched website www.bobbybruceandbam.com features  a 29 page sampler of excerpts.  The book serves as a disruptive blueprint that helps urban kids shift their approach to education, entrepreneurship, and life’s possibilities. The book is available in digital form only on Amazon. Print versions drop April 10, 2016. Adisa Banjoko will speak at Stanford University Monday April 25, 2016 from 4-6 PM. The Stanford Institute for Diversity in the Arts, The Muslim Student Union and the Asian American Students will host “Artist as intellectual, and intellectual as Activist” – A presentation by Adisa Banjoko talking about his work and exploring his new book Bobby, Bruce, and Bam: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess.  The event will also be shown on Periscope @hiphopchess .

“I am honored  to be speaking at Stanford University. I will be sharing some powerful new video and audio in my presentation that evening. I believe Hip-Hop is leading the way in providing the most meaningful  breakthroughs for education in America and the world. Stanford’s Institute for Diversity in the Arts has been consistently hosting authentic conversations about art and activism. I’m very excited.”

Adisa Banjoko, aka The Bishop is a respected disruptor in the space of education innovation. Adisa began his journalism career while still a high school student interviewing Eazy E shortly before the formation of NWA. Adisa  went on to become one of the first west coast writers for The Source, RapPages and VIBE among others. He broke some of the first profiles on artists like Tupac Shakur, Del, Mixmaster Mike, DJ Qbert, Hieroglyphics, Master P and many others in the rise of west coast rap in the early 1990s’. Adisa Banjoko is a powerful speaker who has lectured at many universities across the country including Harvard, Lehigh, Oberlin College, UC Berkeley and others. His ideas on chess, rap and martial arts have been seen in Forbes, Good Morning America, Black Enterprise, Ebony and the cover of Chess Life Magazine.

In 2006 after visiting incarcerated youth in San Francisco he created the Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF). The HHCF is a 501c3 non-profit that fuses music, chess and martial arts, to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence. in 2015, the HHCF was invited to teach the staff at the World Chess Hall of Fame in St. Louis on the connections between Hip-Hop and chess. The result was the Living Like Kings exhibit (which broke attendance records surpassing Bobby Fischer's). He and RZA of Wu-Tang Clan (who now serves on HHCF’s Board) spoke to high school youth and incarcerated youth in St. Louis during all off the rage and chaos after the death  of Mike Brown. Their efforts illustrated a nonviolent narrative largely overlooked by both mainstream and Hip-Hop media.

Bobby Bruce & Bam: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess outline how this unique fusion came to pass and the lives Adisa Banjoko has been able to change through it. The book highlights his his ideas while  in teaching kids in St. Louis with Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, his experiences fighting inner city school violence in The Bay Area and how rap music celebrate chess more than any other form of music on the planet.

To buy the book or download the PDF sampler for Bobby Bruce & Bam: The Secrets of Hip-Hop Chess now at www.bobbybruceandbam.com !