September 4, 2007

Kanye West Foundation

Kanye explaining the rationale behind his funding for programs that integrate hip-hop into public school systems:

If you can approach hip-hop from a standpoint of, “How did they put this together,” and get past the fact that they use profanity, realize that you are a reflection of your parents, more so then the music. Let’s get more into the music itself. How does Dr. Dre, a musical genious, layer all these sounds? What about engineering and Pro Tools and the poetry aspect? We can teach about hip-hop history, we can teach about legends, hip-hop theory. It’s been around so long that text books can be written about it. This is a perfect time to capitalize on and get kids excited about [music] education.

More details on his Kanye West Foundation here:

Hip Hop Superstar Kanye West Combats School Drop Out Rate Through Hip Hop Music

black gives back blog

On Friday, August 24th, the Kanye West Foundation, with title sponsors Ariel Capital Management and Strong American Schools, held its inaugural benefit concert and auction in Chicago. The foundation is a California based non profit, dedicated to combating the severe drop out rate in secondary schools by providing music production programs that motivate students and compel them to stay in school. The foundation partners with schools and community organizations to provide underserved youth access to such programs.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Kanye West Foundation programs, particularly Loop Dreams, its signature initiative, which aims to create a curriculum that combines core subjects with aspects of hip hop.

Posted by jsmooth995 at September 4, 2007 1:14 AM

Comments

shit if i was a kid i woulda taken it......
see kanye isnt really BAD for hip hop.
at least he doin for the youth and for hip hop.

Posted by: trusouth at September 4, 2007 1:21 AM

The problem is that many won't get a chance to experience the program and allow it to grow.

I bet Bill O'Rileemup won't ask him to come on his show with that topic.. EVER. Kayne has effectively killed any chance of him on almost any conservative leaning talk show. Unless of course he hauls off and shoots someone.

Posted by: Belve at September 4, 2007 3:57 AM

Hip Hop is the new mathematics.

Posted by: Eat My Shorts at September 4, 2007 7:31 AM

yeah the conservitive media will flip it around and make it look like thier teachin the kids to cook crack or somethin.....

Posted by: trusouth at September 4, 2007 9:53 AM

Whatever gets the kids thinking will work. What you have are old teachers who can't even turn on a computer let alone admit that hip hop might be a great learning tool. Kanye will have to do allot of convincing.

Posted by: Jyle at September 4, 2007 2:18 PM

what's your take on this jaysmooth?

Posted by: colin at September 6, 2007 3:24 AM

Today we'll embark on exciting new careers in the bestest going industry of the world: Hip Hop

If you choose to work behind the scenes, you can embark on careers such as: "A&R Bitch Nigga", "Sheisty Label Guy", "Street Promotions Vandal" or "Half-Assed Producer"

You'll study "Fake Nigganometry", "Player Pimpology", "Bling-Bling-izm" and "Airplay Economics".

Why waste another minute of your life?
Get your freak on, biatch, and roll at IDA today!

Kanye is about 6 years behind Masta Ace.

Posted by: Dingus at September 6, 2007 10:34 PM

i love what ya trying to do and i want to enroll.

Posted by: precious at September 7, 2007 10:11 AM

I agree with Kanye on this one. Before you criticize anything you should know the historical context behind it. Secondly, computers classes were not offered twenty years ago, now it's taught in every school including elementary. Computers were not in every recording studio twenty years ago, now they are the heart of most studios. If we teach about computers, we should teach about hip hop and music production. It will also encourage some kids to stay out of trouble and save them from spending $40,000 at an audio engineering school.

Posted by: Jamille Luney at September 7, 2007 5:32 PM

This foundation has a clear vision of what its target is. Kanye is a symbol of success that comes from the average person’s reality. His "larger than life" persona is beneficial for our school systems. Kids now a days need something to believe in. The model: "If I did it... you can too" needs to be put in other places other than late night infomercials... it needs to be instilled in our future generations. We have untapped potential in our young Americans.... we should be looking at this from a diplomatic point of view. As the saying goes: "Competition is the cornerstone for democracy and diplomacy" If more people like Kanye existed... we would learn from Mentors not text books. Necessity is the mother of invention... and we are in dire need of a motive to make our future succeed. This will work... because it just makes sense.

Posted by: Dave Miranda at October 14, 2007 1:03 PM

DAVE MIRANDA
North Eastern Investment Concepts.
8901 Kennedy Blvd suite 3W
North Bergen NJ 07047
FLIPMONEYNJ@yahoo.com

Posted by: Dave Miranda at October 14, 2007 1:04 PM

THOUGH THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE PROPER WEBSITE FOR THIS COULDN'T FIND ANOTHER ONE SO JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO KANYE WEST AND HIS FAMILY DURING THIS TIME OF LOST.

ALWAYS REMEMBER TO LOOK TO THE HILLS FROM WHICH COMETH YOUR HELP. ALWAYS RELY ON GOD FOR UNDERSTANDING AND HEALING, WHICH HE WILL PROVIDE TO YOU IN TIME. KEEP THE LOVELY MEMORIES OF YOUR MOTHER/FRIEND/ CLOSE TO HEART AND THIS WILL HELP YOU IN YOUR TIME OF HEALING ALSO. THOUGH I DON'T KNOW YOU PERSONALLY I CAN TRULY SAY THAT LOOKING IN FROM THE OUTSIDE YOU AND HER TRULY HAD A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP!!!!!! ONE THAT MANY SHOULD ASPIRE TO HAVE WITH THEIR CHILDREN. I WILL CONTINUALLY KEEP YOU IN MY PRAYERS AND GOD BLESS

Posted by: DELONYA GANT at November 13, 2007 12:45 PM

THOUGH THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE PROPER WEBSITE FOR THIS COULDN'T FIND ANOTHER ONE SO JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO KANYE WEST AND HIS FAMILY DURING THIS TIME OF LOST.

Posted by: DELONYA GANT at November 13, 2007 12:45 PM

THOUGH THIS IS PROBABLY NOT THE PROPER WEBSITE FOR THIS COULDN'T FIND ANOTHER ONE SO JUST WANTED TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT CONDOLENCES TO KANYE WEST AND HIS FAMILY DURING THIS TIME OF LOST.

Posted by: DELONYA GANT at November 13, 2007 12:46 PM

God Bless Kanye West and his extended family in this time of crisis aaand mourning. Kayne may you always remember your mother's love and that the love she had for you was boundless, unconditional. May you also know that now she's a very pround angel looking down at you and one that will always have your back. Know also that this fan loves you as an man, person and artist and that she will always have you in her prayers!

GOD BLESS YOU!

Posted by: Jana at November 13, 2007 1:12 PM

I want to keep it short, and sweet

and say kayne,
I'm sorry

you lost your mom, my family and I will keep you in our prayers, at
this difficult time!

have a great day!!!!!!!!

Posted by: marquis at November 14, 2007 7:59 AM

I want to keep it short, and sweet

and say kayne,
I'm sorry

you lost your mom, my family and I will keep you in our prayers, at
this difficult time!

have a great day!!!!!!!!

Posted by: marquis at November 14, 2007 8:00 AM

Kanye I applaud you alot for doing the things that you have done for youth like me. I send my condolences for you and your family. Don't lose faith now that she is gone if anything now you should have unconditional faith because now she is in a better place where she can be safe and watch over you forever. Don't stop making you're music because it helps many people like me get by in our everyday life. YOU THE TRUEST and just remember...
"Tough times don't last tough people do!"
- Tricilla

Posted by: Tricilla Cecilia at November 14, 2007 1:11 PM

if they would of looked for a doctor like they did for the over drama funeral, a drawn horse carriage please she might be alive

Posted by: mary at November 21, 2007 9:54 AM