Events

[HIP HOP] Rapper Talib Kweli clearly recognizes that the pen is mightier than the sword. He’s used his words to fight for him on records like Quality, The Beautiful Struggle, and Prisoner of Consciousness, but he’s also used social media platforms as a powerful tool in the fight against injustice. “CVS gets burned down. Every news outlet shows up. Seven black churches burned, one burning right now. Silence,” he tweeted to his over one million followers last week amidst the suspected arson of several black churches in the south. The tweet made headlines on hip hop blogs and beyond, shedding light on a story that many felt was under-represented and downplayed by the mainstream media. Kweli is also not afraid to take on the mainstream media directly either. In a now-famous showdown, Kweli took on CNN’s Don Lemon, battling with Lemon just to get a word in on the subject of protests in Ferguson. Kweli has acted as a leader to many young people who have looked to him for his opinion on the matter of social injustices, and he hasn’t failed to start thoughtful and powerful conversations about racial injustice and media bias. “In my experience on this planet protesting was relegated to activist types. No more, the youth have found their voice. And it’s powerful.” It will be no surprise if Kweli brings this message with him to Buffalo when he comes to the Waiting Room on Wednesday, July 15 with support from K’Valentine, Devon Charles, Jae-Skeese, and DJs Milk and Dovey.