Rap music has become heavily materialistic lately, but true “MC-ing” resurfaced on San Quentin’s Lower Yard, as visiting artist Kev Choice Ensemble and an array of young San Quentin lyricists moved crowd. At the August 24 yard show had a mosh pit of young prisoners “turned up,” as their generation calls it. They danced wildly, pumped their hands in the air and popped invisible collars on their state blue shirts, as they surrounded the makeshift stage. The multi-talented pianist and rapper Kev Choice was the definition of positive … [Read more...] about San Quentin musical event showcases lyrical artists
Antwan “Banks” Williams
Grammy Winner LeCrae Moore’s inspirational message
Two-time Grammy-winning rapper LeCrae Moore used a hip-hop performance at San Quentin State Prison on July 24 to deliver inspirational messages and show his Christian faith in action. “On a personal level, I’m here because I have family behind prison walls: my father, my uncle,” LeCrae said.“I’m attracted to being around people I feel like society has thrown away. People have value, souls have value. Coming here is saying my father and uncle matter.” During the show, LeCrae used a five-dollar bill to illustrate value. “You see this … [Read more...] about Grammy Winner LeCrae Moore’s inspirational message
Musicians rocked San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel
San Quentin State Prison, known by its warden, Ron Davis, to be “The Titan of Rehabilitation,” one-upped itself with a spirited collaboration. Featured were incarcerated musicians sharing the stage with a gospel duo made up of a retired associate warden and a prison staffer, local Bay Area musicians, and a guitar/violin duo from Sacramento. There was standing-room only for the nearly 350 people stuffed in the prison’s Catholic Chapel on Nov. 10. “I believe in the healing power of music,” said Lisa Starbird, a representative of Bread and … [Read more...] about Musicians rocked San Quentin’s Catholic Chapel
Flood of SQ media attention draws back Van Jones
Incarcerated men at San Quentin are getting a lot of press for their accomplishments. The media work produced by and featuring incarcerated men attracted a visit from a CNN anchor and the mayor of Mill Valley. Van Jones, host of CNN’s “The Messy Truth,” and Jessica Sloan, mayor of Mill Valley, came to San Quentin Prison’s Media Center on Jan. 27. Among the men they met with were Curtis “Wall Street” Carroll, Adnan Khan and Anouthinh Pangthong, three men who committed murder when they were teenagers, now featured in a video on Alicia Keys’ We … [Read more...] about Flood of SQ media attention draws back Van Jones