G.O.O.D. Music for a Good Cause

The reputation of hip-hop and its most celebrated figures seems to be under scrutiny for several reasons. Whether their explicit lyrics or materialistic view on life, rappers are constantly on their guard to defend their music as an art. I'll admit some public decisions and life choices by these men and women can be discussed to the nth power, but tell me whose everyday actions can't. The truth is many of these artists do have other sides — charitable and productive for their communities. One of those individuals recently put his money where his mouth is for a good cause.

Hip-hop artist and pop culture mogul Kanye West has become one of the most influential artists in the last decade. Ever since his now-classic debut, The College Dropout, the producer-turned-rapper has managed to cultivate his own label, G.O.O.D Music; design a line of tennis shoes, the Nike Air Yeezy's; and, share his outlook on life with the new book Thank You. And you're welcome! But one of his most enduring feats to date dealt with more than besting record sales or setting the newest trends.

On June 11, West performed a free concert for 3,000 public school children of his native Chicago. The benefit concert was held as a promised reward for students who achieved perfect attendance and garnered honorable grades. The concert was orchestrated in conjunction with Chicago Public Schools by the Kanye West Foundation. West, with his late mother Donda, founded this nonprofit organization in 2005 to battle the increasing dropout rates of America's youth. Education is a significant cause in West's life. Despite his own personal choice of leaving college to pursue his music career, he has always been adamant about the importance of education and even promised his mother he would return to receive his degree. Who ever thought a "college dropout" would be keeping kids in school?

What was more astonishing than the actual event was the public coverage of the show. Celebrities' good deeds tend to be overshadowed by the "news" we usually hear from Hollywood. Most of this consists of pure gossip, so it was nice to see and hear something with substance sprouting from the hip-hop community. Hopefully this is the beginning of a shift in the genre's focus — a sign of clarity and maturity.

For more details on the Kanye West Foundation, go here.

Photo courtesy of tonywilliamsmusic.wordpress.com.