Kanye West and fellow Chicagoan emcee Rhymefest have teamed up to create a free music program for at-risk youth in their city. Titled "Got Bars", it's a collaborative effort with West’s non-profit organization, Donda’s House (named after his late mother) and the ARK of St. Sabina youth center.
"My mom spent her life as an educator and I am happy that Donda’s House can pick up her torch and honor her life’s mission," said West of the initiative.
Rhymefest, who is the co-founder and Assistant Director of Donda’s House, expressed similar sentiments. "I am so happy to launch Got Bars to honor Kanye West’s mother’s memory and to fulfill one of my Aldermanic campaign goals... [it] will change our youth musically, get them healthy and keep them busy in a creative, peaceful environment."
The "Got Bars" program is a 10-week music production course open to aspiring artists between the ages of 15 and 24. Rhymefest and his wife Donnie Smith (a high school English teacher) will oversee operations, with 'Fest working directly with students on the musical aspects. Each student will "learn life-lessons, improve their physical health and create an original written piece that will be recorded or published and performed".
The initiative begins in August, and applications can either be submitted through the official Donda's House website or directly at the ARK of St. Sabina, located at 7800 S. Racine Avenue in Chicago.
The deadline is Friday, August 2.