By Aaris A. Schroeder
Editor-In-Chief
Sometimes it takes a movement to get a reaction from society. It also takes just one person to start the whole thing. This is what AWKWORD solo artist based in Stamford, CT who is currently working with Gr8 Skot [formally of The Arsonists] and formally of indie hip-hop group Sub-Way Stiles is constructing. One thing about AWKWORD that the public should know is that this guy is a community activist. Not only is he a talented emcee spewing consciousness to his community or that he is pro-active as a Jewish-American talking about his experiences in life, AWKWORD also is an amazing photo artist and journalist. This guy can create art with his words and eye.
Originally, AWKWORD wanted to get several producers from all over the world to help remix his music for a remix tape. But he took note of the camaraderie and desire everyone had to work together.
“I could connect people [artists and fans] from all over the world, despite the wars, the inequalities, the cultural differences,” says AWKWORD whose album directly shows the similarities and differences in hip-hop from all over the world, all on one mix tape.
AWKWORD has had the chance to share his ideas with producers and artists from nearly 50 countries. So the contest has begun. AWKWORD is asking musicians, producers and artists to check out www.myspace.com/worldviewmixtape for more information and contact him at AWKWORD@gmail.com to request an a-capella for their remix. You will then be directed to send your finished music to AWKWORD via www.yousendit.com
The reason for this entire project is not just to create a diverse, rich mix tape for the people but to inform radio stations, TV networks print publications, websites, blogs and corporate sponsors about “World View” the mix tape. AWKWORD plans on selling the mix tapes for a low cost and donating 100% of the proceeds to Guns 4 Cameras [G4C].
“I use my story to encourage youth to 'Aim To Live', that's why I started the non-profit organization Guns 4 Cameras, to get guns off the street and give youth the opportunities I wasn't afforded,” says Hezues R', founder of G4C whose non-profit agency has young people turn in their guns in exchange for video cameras. G4C uses hip-hop for marketing and entertainment. The point is to get kids off the streets and being creative instead of destructive.
The passion behind AWKWORD goes further than just trying to make a difference. AWKWORD goes all the way with everything he does, whether it is beating up racists, homophobes and women abusers when attending high school, making love to his girlfriend or emceeing.
“When I was a senior in high school, I realized I could connect my lifelong passion for poetry, my love of rap music and [the] hip-hop culture, as well as my desire to make positive change in this world. My lyrics are not preachy; they are hardcore [however] there is a message,” says AWKWORD who created Diversity Day and a Holocaust Remembrance Day when he was a senior in high school. He wrote two songs about these events as well.
AWKWORD represents all that is awkward in the world, another of the many reasons he is so passionate about this cause. He believes that people’s voices need to be heard and that there are a lot of injustices not only in America but across the world. This makes it a lot easier once the project is put out there for the public and the independent music industry at large to get people involved in the album release party. AWKWORD has selected S.O.J.A., a Florida-based producer to assist him in getting the album completed. Ares Designs will be designing apparel made of recycled fabrics for a DJ-ed fashion show. All of the apparel will be auctioned off at the end of the evening and all proceeds for the event; whether admission or mix tape sales will all go towards G4C.
The World View Festival will take place August ’08 in Brooklyn, NY in Park Slope, at Southpaw, a 5,000 square foot, high-class location. Currently donations to cover pressing the album, paying models and other people involved in the making of this project and album are being accepted to run this project. Hezues R' will be speaking on behalf of G4C about his organization and the entire event will be DJed and there will be live hip-hop performers as well.
“AWKWORD is always up to something but by getting Kosha Dillz on it, [AWKWORD] probably looking for some ‘worldview’ controversy, a good decision on his behalf,” says Kosha Dillz about being a part of the World View mix tape venture.
Although the album deadline is for March 1, the release of the mix tape and release party will be in August. For more information about this event and how you can get involved to sponsor, be a part of the mix tape, DJ, donate time, services or money or just want to know how you can attend the event and help with guerrilla marketing, contact AWKWORD directly at one of his many websites: www.myspace.com/worldviewmixtape, www.myspace.com/seethelightthealbum, www.myspace.com/AWKWORD
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