Kanye West continues “Got Bars” program for Chicago Youth

27 Feb, 2014

Say what you want about Kanye but don’t say he’s forgotten his roots.

At 36, his influence continues to dominate pop culture. Whether it’s the sold out crowd at his recently wrapped Yeezus tour, the Internet and late night talk shows perpetuating his latest rant or the eBay bidders who reportedly drove the price of his exclusive Air Yeezy Red October’s to over $10,000.

We’ve see him curate fashion shows and jet-set coast to coast. With the addition of his fiancée and daughter, we can’t seem to stop talking about Kanye.  And that doesn’t exclude the streets of his home town Chicago.

For the second consecutive year, Kanye has teamed with his childhood friend Che “Rhymefest” Smith for the Donda’s House “Got Bars” program that focuses on music/lyric composition and performance.

The program originated as a way to honor Kanye’s late mother Dr. Donda West.  “She not only taught in the classroom but she taught the community” Smith said “everyone was considered family to her.”  The program operates on the belief that ‘creativity and opportunity thwarts criminal activity.’

Select Chicagoans between the ages of 15-24, have the opportunity to express their creativity while learning from industry professionals. During the 12-week program, running from March-June 2014, students take classes focusing on creative writing, health & wellness and studio recording.  At the end, not only will they host a concert to showcase their original recordings but as Smith contends, “they are lifetime members of Donda’s House.”

For more information on Donda’s House Got Bars Program go to www.DondasHouseINC.org

B. Owusu

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