Typically, the organization works with inner-city youth, but its goals are evolving. This Saturday, the HHA is hosting an event downtown called Enough is Enough. It'll be kid-friendly, with live performances and DJs, but there's also a community activism component, and some local politicians will be on hand. We talked to HHA founder Jeremy McConnell about it.
Hip Hop Academy, Enough is Enough
1730 Broadway (Fringe Central)
Saturday, Dec. 4.
3-7 p.m.
$5
What's the idea behind the event?
It's two-fold. One is to create a situation where we can bring together people who might not normally meet and discuss political issues and community activism. But it's also meant to be a fun event, so we'll have a lot of things going -- emcees, rappers, beatmakers, DJs, poets.
And the politicians?
We want to introduce people from the arts and hip hop communities to individuals who are running for local government and get a dialogue going. So Brandon Ellington, who's running for City Council in the 3rd District, and Edward Pace, who's running in the 4th District, will be on hand. They'll speak early and kind of kick off the event, do a quick Q&A, then they'll probably move to the front foyer and be available to talk issues with whoever wants to talk.
Is there a reason you invited Pace and Ellington specifically?
Officially, the Hip Hop Academy isn't endorsing anybody, and I don't want my personal political opinions to be affiliated with those of the HHA. But both these guys are community activists turned politicians with strong track records of doing work for communities without receiving any financial benefit from it. And they're both younger guys, both representing historically underfunded communities in terms of tax dollars and improvements.
The flyer says this is the first of a series of 'Get Up & Vote' events. What else do you have planned?
The City Council primary elections are Feb. 22, 2011, and the general elections are March 22, 2011, so we're hoping to do one or two more before then. The larger idea of this is to create momentum all the way through the 2012 elections. Getting involved early is important, especially in local elections. I personally know a lot of people right now who are disillusioned with the process. You know -- they voted for Obama and think that they already did their part. But expecting one person to take care of all our society's issues, especially when it comes down to the local level, is ludicrous. We should be able to communicate with our local representatives and hold them to task. So with these events we're trying to create dialogue, shorten the distance between the people and our elected officials.
Who are you expecting to turn out on Saturday?
This is the first one, so it's fairly mysterious still. But we're hoping there's a good turnout from the arts community. Artists are struggling right now, and there's a lot of issues that are relevant to artists. I'd really like to see the arts and music communities get together and do more cross-cultural stuff. Get the rock, DJs, elctronic, hip hop communities together and talk about issues. Step up to City Hall and get a conversation going about about how much support there really is for artists in Kansas City.
Who all's performing?
DJ, Hike, DJ Hylanda, Tommylift, Vell Bakardy, Verti, G Mob, Scoe, The Recipe, El Goto, T Blaze, Infiniti, Lucid, Clown Gang, Ace Fadal, J Fish, Satire Icon featuring Jack Stackz. Also, there's live silkscreening with Betty Propoganda, and artwork from Gear, Krie and Brian Slater. Plus some dancing. It's all-ages. I'm sure there'll be some teenagers on hand, and some folks with their kids. The DJs will be playing all radio edits: No gun shots or F-bombs.
like
dislike
