Thug Life Army

Chicago Hip-Hop Heritage Month (July) Events that are to coincide with 2006 National Hip-Hip Political Convention.

Events organized primarily by Chicago Hip-Hop Initiative NFP for Fourth Annual Official Observance of Chicago Hip-Hop Heritage Month, throughout July (beginning with kickoff party TBA Jul 1), in cooperation with Chicago Host Committee of 2006 National Hip-Hop Political Convention meeting at Chicago State University, but not necessarily as core events for convention and Chicago Host Committee.

“Power to the People” hip-hop extravaganza kick for 2006 National Hip-Hop Political Convention at Virgin Megastore Chicago from 5-9 pm Wed, Jul 19th, cosponsored by Urb, Nike, the Hip-Hop Game of Skillz at Northbridge-River North-Gold Coast: Hosted by Amina & DJ Madrid, featuring hip-hop rap MCs, poets & DJs primarily from Greater Chicagoland & Midwest, open mic, b-kid battle, MC battle, music video screenings, mingling models from Illanoyze®, Mario Uomo, prizes, giveaways.

Confirmed with Madrid, Monte Smith, Amina, Mike & Ghostmob confirmed as acts, featured acts and certain open mic’ers would be allowed to promote their music at Virgin, recommend pre-event interviews for certain celebrities, like a Malik Yusef, Lexx Luger, Monte Smith, on Virgin Free Radio.

8 pm-2 am, Tue,  Jul 18, ”It’s a Rainbow Thang,” 606 Entertainment & Chicago Hip-Hop Initiative NFP Pre-convention Revel  at Subterranean, Wicker Park-Bucktown: Artek & 606 house DJ’s, MCs, DJs, poets, b-boys, b-girls, music video screenings, screening of clip or trailer from 1555 Filmworks'' Holla If You Hear Me featuring Artek and special appearances from lead actors Cyn Dulay, Lorenzo Hunt, supporting cast Sheila Chalakee, Revelation 810, Cherokee Princess, Danielle Carter, Terrence Mardis, Redell Drakeford, David Leonard, and BLT, giveaways, awards for heads who''ve made significant contributions to Greater Chicagoland's hip-hop scene. (Approved by Artek, awaiting final confirmation of dates and times from Subterranean management, additional sponsorship with Wicker Park-Bucktown newspapers, UR Chicago, Timeout, Red Eye, and related publications.)

5-9 pm, Wed, Jul 19, “Power to the People.” hip-hop extravaganza at Virgin Megastore Chicago, cosponsored by Urb, Nike, the Hip-Hop Game of Skillz at Northbridge-River North-Gold Coast: Hosted by Amina & DJ Madrid, featuring MCs, poets & DJs primarily from Greater Chicagoland & Midwest, open mic, b-kid battle, MC battle, music video screenings, mingling models from Illanoyze®, Mario Uomo, prizes, giveaways. [Confirmed with Madrid, Monte Smith, Amina, Mike & Ghostmob confirmed as acts, featured acts and certain open micers would be allowed to promote their music at Virgin, recommend pre-event interviews for certain celebrities, like a Malik Yusef, Lexx Luger, Monte Smith, on Virgin Free Radio]

PROPOSED, 6-11:30 pm, Thur, Jul 20, “Screen the Power” screenings of hip-hop features & shorts, sponsored by Greater Chicagoland Hip-Hop Film Caucus, ReelChicago.com, Screen Magazine, Illinois Film Office, Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, Chicago Film Office, at Negro League Cafe, Bronzeville-Grand Boulevard. [Must talk with owner of Negro League Cafe, currently offering film series on Tues, additional sponsorship opportunities with Daily Southtown, Hyde Park Herald, Hyde Park Citizen]

PROPOSED 9:30-2 pm, Sat, Jul 22 National Hip-Hop Elements Caucuses & Town Meeting on using activist art toward significant social change, with Julia Grob of Beat Back Bush & visual artist Jocelyn of Prisoners of Conscience Committee as featured challengers, combination of an Iowa-style caucus and New England-style town meeting, sponsored by Cook County Clerk’s Office, Chicago Board of Election Commissioners, Illinois Secretary of State Office’s Office, Indiana Secretary of State’s Office, Missouri Secretary of State’s Office, Illinois State Board of Elections, Wisconsin State Elections Commission at Community Room, West Pullman Branch Chicago Public Library, Maple Park subdivision-West Pullman. (Must present library with CHI articles of incorporation, showing it’s a not-for-profit corporation, event must be free & open to public, additional sponsorship opportunities with Daily Southtown, South End Citizen, Hammond Times.)

3-9 pm, Sat, Jul 22, “Spin the Power” DJing/Turntablism Reception, cosponsored by Nike, Not For Tourists, Fader, Red Eye, UR Chicago, Time Out, Hoy at Mr. Peabody Records, original Beverly Hills, light refreshments, vinyl giveaways, other DJ’ing/turntablism related giveaways. (Agreed to in principle by Mike Cole & Mark Grusane, awaiting final confirmation of date & times, additional sponsorship opportunities with Daily Southtown, Beverly Review, South End Citizen, Confirmed with Mike Cole  & Mark Grusane of Mr. Peabody Records.)

2-7 pm, Sun, Jul 23, National Hip-Hop Filmmakers Reception and National Hip-Hop Filmmakers Caucus, sponsored by Greater Chicagoland Hip-Hop Film Caucus, ReelChicago.com, Screen Magazine, Iowa Film Office, Michigan Film Office, Tennessee Film Office, Kentucky Film Office, Colorado Film Office, San Diego Film Office, Illinois Film Office, Illinois State Treasurer’s Office, Chicago Film Office at Mr. Peabody Records, original Beverly Hills, Iowa-style caucus on filmmaking issues, screenings of feature & documentary shorts, mingling models from Illanoyze®, Mario Uomo, film industry related giveaways. )Confirmed with Mike Cole & Mark Grusane of Mr. Peabody Records, additional sponsorship opportunities with Daily Southtown, Beverly Review, South End Citizen).

Make plans to attend.