Hip Hop Congress

Feature film, Bilal’s Stand, debuts at Michigan Theater April 3rd. [UMich / Alex Schein]

University of Michigan alum Sultan Sharrief has directed a new film called “Bilal’s Stand” (www.bilalsstand.com) which was made on a shoestring budget with support and involvement of communities in Detroit. The following link tells the story of how the project utilized the energy of area youth as part of their own educational development. It culminates with music by Hip Hop Congress artist Alex Schein (www.alexschein.com) to help unveil the power and message of the film:

Bilal’s Stand will debut 7pm Thursday, April 3rd at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. This is the beginning what many hope will be a long journey for this film. Below is a press release that provides further background for those interested.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Feature film, Bilal’s Stand, debuts at Michigan Theater April 3rd.

This is the 2nd feature film from producer Sultan Sharrief. The first, The Spiral Project, was nominated for a 2006 MTV Movie Award. It was one of 5 finalist of over 500 entries. He hopes Bilal’s Stand- his writing/directing debut, will do as well.

Bilal’s Stand, tells the story of an inner-city high school student who works at his family’s long owned taxi stand. ‘The Stand’ has been the source of all money and activity for the family for sixty years, and it looks like Bilal is about to carry the torch. But after secretly getting accepted to the University of Michigan, and taking up ice sculpting in order to win a scholarship, Bilal is forced to decide whether he’ll continue to work at the family business, or if he’ll take a chance at social mobility. The film addresses issues that many inner city youth face in regards to peer pressure, unequal education, race, class, religion, and the notion of “selling out”.

The film was produced as the pilot film for the Student EFEX (Encouraging the
Filmmaking Experience) Program, a new community film project and course created by University of Michigan students, faculty, and staff in collaboration with Beyond Blue Productions.

The film debuts April 3rd at 7:00p.m. at the Michigan Theater. The program starts at 6:30p.m. There will be an introduction and comments by writer/director Sultan Sharrief and producer Professor Terri Sarris. Tickets on sale at the Michigan Theater box office one hour before show starts. Tickets are $6.00 for students and $8.00 for general public.

For more information go to www.bilalsstand.com or to watch behind the scenes footage go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1H9z96BegQ. EFEX combines filmmaking with service learning and community engagement, and serves as a new model for interaction between academic units and their surrounding artistic communities.

HHCF Event: April 12th in the Bay, RZA, Josh Waitzkin & NHB fans [Chess]

Hip-Hop Chess Federation Teams with MMA Fighters Jake Sheilds and Ralek Gracie, RZA, Rakaa, IM Josh Waitzkin, for the “Mind Over Matter” Chess & Grappling Exhibition

HHCF brings together top entertainers and fighters to inspire today’s youth

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
San Jose, CA March 19th 2008– The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) the world’s first non-profit fusing music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence is proud to announce the Mind Over Matter Chess and Grappling Exhibition. Some of the biggest stars from the Hip-Hop, Chess and Martial Arts communities will gather for this one of a kind event.

Mind Over Matter will be held at the Riekes Center for Human Enhancement at 3455 Edison Way, in Menlo Park California on April 12th 2008 from 12 noon to 5 PM. Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA, chess icon and two time tai chi chuan world champion Josh Waitzkin, Rakaa of Dilated Peoples and Casual of Hieroglyphics . Other artists attending “Mind Over Matter” include The Jacka, Paris, T-K.A.S.H., Prince Ali, Director of “Straight Outta Hunters Point” Kevin Epps and many others.

“There is little more beautiful than the eyes of a child lighting up with inspiration, making new connections, falling in love with learning” said Josh Waitzkin. “Educators must take note of the rise of the HHCF. Adisa Banjoko is creating some of the most dynamic, innovative and empowering events for our youth- and “Mind Over Matter” will raise the bar once again. Blending chess, Hip-Hop and martial arts we are generating a dialogue about learning that begins with the love, embraces the unique flavor of each individual, and break down the divisive false constructs some have imposed on our culture, our schools, and our youth. I am honored to be part of this movement.

” “The HHCF’s Mind Over Matter chess and grappling exhibition is going to be a historic on several levels” said Adisa Banjoko, HHCF CEO. “There will be world class grapplers, chess masters and martial artists interweaving the highest aspects of these arts to improve the state of America’s youth. MC’s B-boys and B-girls, Graff writers and DJ’s and chess lovers from all over the planet are returning to the Bay to celebrate the union of these arts.

”In addition, RZA, Josh, and MMA Champion Ralek Gracie will host a panel entitled Martial Arts As A Path to Nonviolence. The panel will outline how students of chess and martial arts are trained to incorporate numerous options outside of violence.

HHCF Life Strategies panels are in high demand because of their intensity and philosophical depth. Previous panelists include San Quinn, Rakaa of Dilated Peoples, Josh Waitzkin, Dr.
Daaim Shabazz of thechessdrum. net, RZA, DJ QBert, DJ Kevvy Kev, Balance, Immortal Technique and DLabrie from Hip-Hop Congress.

Additional events of the day will include, MMA Champion Jake Sheilds and No Gi World Champion Denny Prokopos of 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu SF hosting an exhibition to showcase some of today’s most effective grappling techniques.

Sponsors for Mind Over Matter include online chess community Chesspark. com, Ubisoft, Brazilian jiu jitsu news outlet Onthemat. com, Luna Bars and Hip-Hop Congress.

For more information or sponsorship opportunities please call (323) 335-4497 or email gaborski@shinkenpublicrelations.com.

New Audio Interview featuring Hi Fidel [F5 Records]

Here is some great audio of an interviewing from Hi Fidel of F5 Records. He is located in L.A. and is an amazing painter in addition to MC.

If you haven’t heard a song from Hi Fidel previously, check out “Diamonds” which also features OM Records latest artist Black Spade.

UC Denver DJ Battle [UC Denver]

UC-Denver checks in with a great video of their hugely successful DJ Battle! For those who don’t know UC-D is an incredible chapter and always comes correct. This video is only a sliver of what this chapter produces.

From Tom, the chapterhead:

Hip-Hop congress UC – D just put together a great DJ battle with some of the top DJ’s in Colorado. DJ such as Lowkey, Soundsupreme, Mu$a, woody, and Squirt were mixing, scratching, and juggling there way through campus to get the student’s dancing. DJ vajra, Colorado’s best turntablist, judged the event after throwing down a 30 minute set that left the crowd amazed at what can be done with vinyl record.