Blog 365: March 2016

Hip-Hop 4 Flint: We Are the Champions

Hip-Hop 4 Flint: We Are the Champions

By Mr. Joe Walker

I knew I was going to say a few words at Hip-Hop 4 Flint: Grand Rapids. With so many talented, insightful people at The Intersection on March 19, what could I voice that wouldn’t have already been covered in song? What could I add to the vision of YoNasDa Lonewolf, and the extension of her vision being led by organizer DJ Choppy Blades there in Grand Rapids? The answer was so obviously draped over my shoulder.

The citizens of Flint, MI are being hurt by the poisonous water crisis. We participated in Hip-Hop 4 Flint, a day of unity and solidarity shared with 51 other cities across the world, to be their champions.

Flint’s people were left alone in a ring of despair, surrounded by the ill intentions of neglect. Misfortune was readying its finishing move.

We ran heroically to the ring to ensure they would not be defeated by this unfortunate situation.

We fight with and for them using our talents, our compassion for humanity, and our determination to best the worst, to procure victory for a community in need. That’s what hip-hop is truly about.

It’s championship material.

[Also read my SoulTrain.com recap of Hip-Hop 4 Flint]

Sixman Supports Hip-Hop 4 Flint

Sixman Supports Hip-Hop 4 Flint

By Mr. Joe Walker

Hip-hop artists, professionals and enthusiasts across America are uniting in various cities to help resolve the terrifying water crisis in Flint, MI. Hip-Hop 4 Flint is a national charitable event, and a number of high-profile patrons will converge on The Intersection in Grand Rapids, MI to show their support on March 19, 2016.

Hip-Hop artist Sixman will be among them in spirit.

Currently touring, Sixman sends his love in the exclusive video above.

Dante Cope Supports Hip-Hop 4 Flint

Dante Cope Supports Hip-Hop 4 Flint

By Mr. Joe Walker

Hip-hop artist Dante Cope will be among them.

I asked him why he’s chosen to show their support. This is what he had to say.

I'm involved with Hip-Hop 4 Flint because I care about the state of my community. Flint is not some foreign third world locale, crumbling infrastructure and privatization can occur in any city in this state. Our elected officials keep holding on to an obsolete vision of what this state should be and Flint is a byproduct of that vision. It goes deeper than providing people with poisoned water. The fact that our water was poisoned in the first place should be a wake-up call to America.”