Black Thought is best known as the lead MC of the Grammy Award winning Roots, who are recognized as one of the best live acts in music today. The Roots have worked with everyone in the music industry, with Black Thought innovating and redrawing the boundaries between genres. They now star nightly on Jimmy Fallon’s new NBC show.
Emmy and Golden Globe Nominated actor and genius MC from Brooklyn, Mos Def’s acting career started when he was 14, and he is most known for his roles in the Dave Chappelle Show as well as his roles in recent films such as Be Kind Rewind (2008) and in 16 Blocks (2006). He consistently puts his socially conscious message on wax and loudspeaker and in September of 2005, he performed the controversial song “Katrina Clap” outside the MTV music awards at Radio City Music Hall in order to spread awareness about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. His latest film is “Next Day Air,” released on May 8th 2009.
Known for her resilience as the “Iron Lady”, and the first woman in Africa to be elected as a head of state, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has moved Liberia out of the dark ages. Her efforts have drastically cut her country’s national debt, improved education, and helped revitalize her country and unite her people.
Known as "The Dusty Foot Philosopher", he is one of the greatest acts to ever come out of Somalia. With a flow as sharp as his rise to the top of the musical charts, K'Naan's music crosses over genres, and his music echoes recognition and analysis of the problems the world faces today. "Troubadour" of Africa around the world, he consistently reminds his audiences with urgency that his priorities will remain helping the underprivileged in Africa and around the globe.
Peruvian born, hard-hitting Harlem MC, self-described as a “socialist guerrilla”, Immortal Technique has boldly led the activist hip hop movement since 2000 with an approach that demands action. Immortal Technique has not only been a voice for social change, but has worked to foster it through several charity endeavors including a recent project to build an orphanage in Afghanistan.
Award winning actress and an activist for Africa and its culture, CCH Pounder starred in the Emmy winning TV show “The Shield”, and is currently working on the film “Avatar” which is set to be released in 2009. As one of the founders of ANSA (Artists for a New South Africa), she has energized awareness of post-apartheid and HIV/AIDS issues.
The “Hip Hop Journalist”, MTV News Editor Shaheem Reid has been a pioneer in bringing hip-hop and its culture to the forefront.
NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo is an ambassador of African culture. A symbol of integration and success, in addition to being positively engaged with Africa through The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, he is regarded as the greatest NBA defensive player of all time. He has had an exemplary career crowned by many awards and was praised by President Bush during the State of The Union Address in 2007. An honorary supporter of the i am AfricaTM brand, he is truly an inspiration to many of us.
Beat box extraordinaire, best known as a member of The Roots and for his work on Jay-Z’s platinum LP “Unplugged”, Scratch is definitely an innovator and more than just a Grammy Award winning artist.
Nigerian singer, writer and producer, with a style as eclectic as his growing fan base, Banky is among this new breed of Nigerian artists with an international appeal. With hit songs such as “Ebute Meta” and “My Regret”, he is blessed with undeniable talent, and is poised to leave a footprint in the music world.
Probably best known as a lyrical genius and for the song “Simon Says” (which has appeared on several hit movies including Boiler Room (2000) and Charlie’s Angels (2000)), Pharoahe Monch has enjoyed critical and commercial success as an artist, while continuing to push the envelope with his music.
Brooklyn’s own, featured everywhere, even on the video game Grand Theft Auto 4 (GTA4) Poison Pen is the founder of the indie rap clique The Stronghold. Poison Pen has worked harder than most in the hip-hop world to innovate and create, while also bringing socially conscious and relevant thought to the forefront.
Eric Sermon and Parrish Smith can be credited for helping to build hip hop as a force and bringing it into the limelight when it was first born. Though EPMD has been involved in the creation and production of over 25 platinum albums, both Eric and Parrish have remained humble and work to spread music and improve their communities.
Known as the “Freestyle Champion of the World”, with an uncanny ability to rhyme, he has appeared everywhere and toured the world inspiring many with his art.
Probably best known for their hip hop masterpiece “3 Feet High and Rising”, not only do they make incredible music, but constantly innovate, and have even collaborated with Nike.
