Check out this Blast one on one interview with Chanell Ketchmore. In this interview Ketchmore talks about the Ketchmore Kids organization, her music and informing others on what they can do to get involved.
The Giant Blast: Could you tell us about the Ketchmore Kids Organization?
Chanell Ketchmore: KK is dedicated to using hip-hop to work with youth and families on positive things, such as self-esteem and gang-prevention.
The Giant Blast: In what ways do you use hip hop to teach positivity to the children?
Chanell Ketchmore: We incorporate hip-hop culture into everything that we do, we lead critical thinking/discussion sessions with youth regarding specific hip-hop songs/lyrics, we encourage youth to express themselves and their creativity through the creation of their own hip-hop songs, we invite special guests affiliated with hip-hop culture in some way, shape, or form to come out and build with the kids. We encourage participation from national and local artists.
The Giant Blast: What activities do you provide for the children during your workshops?
Chanell Ketchmore: Hands-on interactive activities, such as role plays, worksheets, talent sessions, discussion sessions, with hip-hop at the core of everything; hip-hop jeopardy, teaching our youth about the foundation of hip-hop culture, and how this genre of music began as an outlet to express ourselves against poverty, oppression, and other social ills.
The Giant Blast: How can someone get involved and help out with the cause?
Chanell Ketchmore: Contact us on our website at Ketchmorekids.org, or myspace, facebook, twitter or email Ketchmorekids@aol.com
The Giant Blast: Where can they find information about the Ketchmore Kids Organization?
Chanell Ketchmore: All the above.
The Giant Blast: What workshops and events for the children have you had so far?
Chanell Ketchmore: Workshops at rec centers, schools, boy's and girl's club, shelters. community events such as toy drives, school supply drives, food drives. Etc.
The Giant Blast: Not only do you have this organization you also rap yourself, how long have you been spittin'?
Chanell Ketchmore: Since I was 12 years old.
The Giant Blast: What inspired you to rap?
Chanell Ketchmore: Inspired by my older brother, and the opportunity to express myself, the energy of the music touched me at a young age,and it came natural to me to express myself this way.
The Giant Blast: What's the theme behind your new song "Calling All Troops"?
Chanell Ketchmore: So many people say that our kids need help and need to change, so my thing is....don't talk about it, be about it. This song is meant to motivate and inspire listeners to do what they can, what is in their power, to help bring about positive social change for our youth, and thus society as a whole.
The Giant Blast: You are also working on a short EP full of songs with positive messages dedicated to the children, who are you working with on this project, and who would you like to work with on this project?
Chanell Ketchmore: J-Coleman is leading the way on this one of course. Coleman has been down for the cause, helping with workshops at the shelter, with school drives, food drives, and anything else needed to help Ketchmore Kids make a difference. Don't wanna work with too many people, just wanna put some good music out there. Just a blessing to be doing what is being done, and I can't take the credit for it, so many help, and provide their positive energy to the music and Ketchmore Kids, the hip-hop social change movement.
The Giant Blast: What types of artists do you listen to?
Chanell Ketchmore: Varies-Taalib Kweli, Jadakiss, T.I. Common.
The Giant Blast: How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Chanell Ketchmore: Conscious street, hood social activist.
The Giant Blast: How would you describe yourself as a person?
Chanell Ketchmore: Passionate, and just humble, appreciative of the little things.
The Giant Blast: Is there anything else you would like to plug?
Chanell Ketchmore: Starting May 1st, we need as many people as possible to go to refresheverything.com/ketchmorekids and vote for our program. We are trying to win a grant from Pepsi, but only the program with the most votes will win. We are also working to free my brother, Troy Ketchmore, who has been serving 15 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He was an inspiration for me to get into hip-hop in the first place, and we are fighting to get him home. find out more about his case at myspace.com/freeketchmore, he also has a facebook page.
Sincerely, this is bigger than me, thanks to everyone who provides their time and efforts to push the word out about KK. Thanks for this interview. be blessed and stay true to who you are and what you do, you only live once here, so ride this until the wheels fall off!
FOR MORE INFORMATION E-MAIL US AT THEGIANTBLAST@AOL.COM
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