As much grief as the world gives Kanye West — and don’t trip, he deserves a whole bunch of it — the man does manage to do positive things in the community. Case in point, his new “Got Bars?” program, which will teach young folks how to write and record their own music over the course of 10 weeks.
The initiative, aimed towards at-risk youth living on Chicago’s South Side, is a collaborative effort behind Kanye’s non profit organization, Donda’s House, and St. Sabina Church.
Donda’s House Executive Director Donnie Smith said music writing helps the students, who will be between 15 to 24 years old, develop problem-solving skills.
“Art instruction and particularly music instruction leads people to become better problem solvers, more flexible,” Smith said. “There are just so many outcomes that come from the study of music and particularly music writing.”
She said the program’s targeting at-risk youth between 15 and 24 because there aren’t enough activities for them.
Rhymefest, who’s co-founder and assistant director of Donda’s House, will help kids write and record music in a studio. The program also includes lessons about exercise, nutrition and life skills.
Donda’s House will release an EP that includes the participants’ songs.
Round of applause, shawty, give Kanye a hand clap.
I hope he continues to do stuff like this. It won’t make his manic rants on Twitter any less intolerable, but it will restore some of that “Aww, Kanye” factor he’s had for so long.
Rich ass rappers, y’all need to follow suit. Help your community. You’ve got the means.
