Lost footage from HHCF event feat. RZA, Rakaa, Josh Waitzkin and more...

OK, so I just stumbled on this, and it was a cool thing to find. This was one of the HHCF's early events. A lot of people shot, it but I lost contact with all of them. Anyway, check these two clips out. You will see RZA, Josh Waitzkin and a few others in the shots. Looking forward to the upcoming events made me look around at some of the past ones so I can get super exited.

Hip-Hop Chess got shouted out on Forbes! We have many leather-bound books. Kind of a big deal

And it deals with PHYSICS!

From Atoms To Bits, Physics Shows Entropy As The Root Of Intelligence

We have been taught to think of entropy as a bad thing. “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;/Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,” wrote William Butler Yeats in the aftermath of World War I, in words that still ring true today. Yet Yeats was both a Romantic poet and a Modern one, and he followed up this couplet with a more counterintuitive one, “The best lack all conviction, while the worst /Are full of passionate intensity.”

FULL STORY

This is what you look like to me.

Adisa Banjoko and Mike Relm Present Opera House Massacre

An amazing video on Hip-Hop, jiu jitsu and chess directed by Mike Relm. The chess set we used was lent to us by www.thechesspiece.com 

HHCF Summer Fundraising Drive Starts Now! Donate Today! 501c3

Greetings from the Hip-Hop Chess Federation!

We hope this letter finds you in great spirits and great health. The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is about to announce our Summer Camps for chess, performing arts and Hip-Hop dance.

Last summer the HHCF Summer Camp was sold out every week! We are in the process of moving facilities this Summer in anticipation of another amazing summer. We are seeking a bigger facility and we should have one solidified within the next 7-10 days. To do this we will need your help in raising $2500.00. This will allow us to purchase new equipment, pay our chess and dance coaches, relaunch our website and scholarship some of the kids whose parents are unable to pay for the camp. We’ve done some amazing things with the HHCF this year. But none of it can continue to happen without you. The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is a 501(c)3 non-profit and your donation is tax deductible. Make a donation to the HHCF TODAY!

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation has a lot of amazing things to announce and we wanted to share them with you!

1. HHCF founder presented at Harvard University VIEW EXCERPTS HERE. Listen to the full lecture HERE

2. Our Cheer and Hip-Hop dance team took 1st, 2nd and 3rd at US Nationals in Disneyland VIEW HERE . Because of the victory our team was invited to PIXAR Studios to perform at a private Monsters University event. We are bound by contract not to show the photos and stuff yet, but, once we get the green light, you will love it. It was an honor, and it was VERY fun.  

3. Hip-Hop Chess Federation will be doing an event at the World Chess Hall of Fame May 8th!

4. HHCF feature in Black Enterprise

5. Aprill 22nd HHCF will drop Opera House Massacre video directed by Mike Relm on YoutTube. Mike Relm is a video remix king (with over 13 million hits on YouTube!!). He is an old ally of the HHCF and is also the producer of Adisa’s www.bishopchronicles.com podcast.

YouTube recently purchased the airplane hangar that the famous Spruce Goose airplane used to be in and made a film studio out of it. Only stars like Matt Damon were previously allowed to shoot there. But because of Mikes following on YouTube he was invited to shoot there and he and Adisa came together with a truly one of a kind film clip called The Opera House Massacre (a remake of a famous game played by the chess legend Paul Morphy). Its about the fusion of chess and jiu jitsu. It will debut on April 22nd on Relmvision and you will be able to catch it also on Bishop Chronicles and www.hiphopchess.blogspot.com . Neither chess, nor jiu jitsu has been filmed like this before. We encourage you to you share it with your friends after you see it.

I know this economy is a beast, but in the shadow of all the turmoil today, you can know that you donate to an organization committed to being on the frontlines to combat violence and enrich the minds of all children and teens. Donate today!  

Yours,

Adisa Banjoko

Founder, HHCF

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. 

HHCF Founder Adisa Banjoko Speaking at Harvard University

This was a great event. I spoke at the AOCC event at Harvard. I went first so, the crowd was a bit thin, but I broke it down to the marrow. I had it filmed and I wanted to make sure you saw how I do what I do when I do it.

Enjoy....

Rap Genius Top Ten List of Martial Arts Lyrics in Hip-Hop

The connection between hip-hop and martial arts is vast and expansive. So much so, that to attempt to cover it comprehensively would take a library’s worth of books. That being said, looking at the ten best lyrical sparring moments can teach us a ton about the histories of both art forms

Much of the attraction was that in the initial emergence of the fusion, hip-hop was in many ways a secret society. It was near-impossible to be down with the culture on your own. You needed to have a mentor, a “master” if you will, who could guide you through the subculture. Style, technique, loyalty, lineage, and most of all the willingness to battle without fear were essential. 

READ FULL STORY HERE: http://rapgenius.com/posts/1631-Top-ten-martial-arts-songs-in-hip-hop

HHCF feat. on Rap Genuis "Top Ten Chess Lyrics in Rap"

Hip-hop and chess have been connected for a long time. In fact, of all the music on Earth, no other form of genre has celebrated chess as much as rap. This seems ironic, considering the mental picture one usually gets of the music being played during a chess match is something by Beethoven or Vivaldi

FULL LIST HERE http://rapgenius.com/posts/1627-Top-ten-chess-lyrics-in-hip-hop

Adisa interviews Tajai from Hiero on 20th Anniversary of 93 Till Infinity

Other guests will include NBC 11 tech anchor Scott Budman and female chess prodigy Diamond Shakoor.

Visit iTunes to subscribe today!

Latest Emergency Fundraiser Update

Hi Everyone,

Due to the injury sustained by the Programs/Camp Director (who happens to teach our Performing Arts, a few chess programs, Cheer and Dance programs), we have moved forward on looking for a replacement as stated in our Fundraising Efforts page.

We have placed an add in hopes to find someone who can be the perfect assistant to our Director. Someone who can be the hands-on teacher that our Director can not continue to be. We hope for her speedy recovery, but we are putting your funds to work to keep the programs running.

Once we have found her replacement (assistant), we will be sure to announce to everyone.

As stated, we are also working on replacing the damaged supplies. We have placed orders for replacement boards and pieces that were destroyed in the accident.

We still have a long way to go, so please share our fundraiser page http://www.gofundme.com/hhcfhelp

Thank you & Have a wonderful New Year!

The Hip-Hop Chess Federation Family

Update on ER 2012 Fundraiser

As promised we want to keep everyone up to date on how our Emergency Fundraiser is going since the Accident that incapacitated the HHCF in many ways.

As of 12/29/12, the HHCF has raised nearly 30% of the funds needed. Now, this is not enough to keep all our Winter Camps up and running. Without raising the full amount, we are unable to do our usual pick up and drop off of the disadvantage youth we usually cater to during these times. Its a tough situation because for years we have provided a safe alternative for kids when school is on break and parent(s) are at work.
The parents are understanding a appreciative because they know our organization has gone beyond all means possible to keep next weeks camps open. We have committed to checking in with the kids we serve using online services such as Skype and Facebook Chat to make sure they have someone to still guide them during this school break.

We are very thankful to Miss Tami, Miss Jones, Miss Williams, Mr. Michael, Miss Rhanee for helping with the camp during the week of Dec. 24-Dec 28th. Thank you for hosting overnight sleepovers, dropping off food for lunches, volunteering to play cab driver - all the drop offs and pick ups, driving across the Bay to get teacher(s) to or from the training facility. And of course, last weeks Donations that helped cover many of the expenses associated with this camp. Without all of you the camp would have been canceled and many kids would not have had all the fun and education in a safe and caring environment.

Update on the insurance companies efforts to take care of their responsibilities:
We have submitted all documents, pictures, medical and police reports. The HHCF Founder has made it his goal to make sure everyone does their part. We have been advised that if the insured may have only enough coverage to take care all the damages created in the accident. We will keep you up to date on everything and we again thank you for all that you have done to keep HHCF serving the community. Despite the cancellation of next weeks camps, we hope that we will reach our fundraising goal and will be able to re-open all our After-School and Community programs by the 1st week of the new year.

Please share with friends and family, co-workers and more. Also, for those who have donated, the HHCF does qualify for Company Match. So if your company has a Donation Match Program, be sure to submit the Match Claim ASAP.

http://www.gofundme.com/hhcfhelp