Popular hip-hop artists discuss real life issues with youth

By Kadeejah Muhammad | Last updated: Apr 3, 2011 - 9:56:05 PM

ROSEMONT, Ill. (FinalCall.com) - As is becoming a tradition, this year's Saviours' Day weekend included many interesting and exciting activities for young people.

One well attended workshop was one with popular singer Raheem Devaughn.

(Right to left)Neo-Soul Artist Raheem DeVaughn, Grammy nominated Singer/Songwriter Mary Brown, Qwanell “Que” Mosley (formerly of hip-hop group “Day 26”), Rapper Che “Rhymefest” Smith, and “Freeway” Ricky Ross, spoke at the 81st annual Saviours’ Day workshop Feb. 26th. Photo: Mikal Veale

In addition to Mr. Devaughn's presence, there was also a panel of speakers, including “Q” formerly of Day 26, singer/songwriter Mary Brown, rapper and Chicago aldermanic candidate Che “Rhymefest” Smith, and former drug kingpin and now anti-drug activist The Real Rick Ross.

The session opened with Rhymefest discussing details behind how he got his name “Che.” The name was given to him by his grandfather, who fought in the Vietnam War, and after an encounter with the opposing side, they released him and told him to go home because this was not his war. Mr. Smith said his grandfather named his children after revolutionaries because he wanted them to have names with meaning.

As a special treat, Rhymefest brought along the Grammy Award he won in 2010 for co-writing the song “Jesus Walks” with Kanye West.

As audience members passed the Grammy around, the excitement of the youth was felt as they were able to see and feel an award that most of them probably thought they would never get to see up close.

After Raheem Devaughn was introduced, he gave the greetings of “As-Salaam Alaikum” (peace be unto you) and spoke briefly, allowing time for the youth in attendance to ask questions. He told the youth about his experiences in life such as—why he dropped out of high school and how he had been shot and left for dead.

He described himself as a survivor and a dreamer, and told the crowd he had a strong faith and belief in God, which is key in his life.

“Enjoy being youthful and don't be in such a rush to grow up because it comes with a lot of responsibility,” said Mr. Devaughn calling them “Generation Next.”

Panelist Mary Brown, who wrote songs “No, No, No”, “ Someone Please call 911” and “Never Give Up” said she was excited that she was to be able to attend Saviours' Day this year.

During the Q&A session, members of the audience asked if any of the panelists were among the Illuminati, a secret society.

Rapper Rhymefest was the first to answer, saying that with all the hype about the Illuminati, “the evils involved are actually closer to you than they may be with Jay-Z or Kanye West,” he said.

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