Rapper and activist Chuck D praised Oklahoma City’s Jabee as the epitome of activist musicians. The hip-hop icon, visiting OKC for a recent conference on violence intervention , also offered his veteran perspective on music’s ability to transcend cultures, unite people against gun violence and ignite social change.
Chuck D was the keynote speaker Friday for the Peace Needs Conference hosted by LiveFree OKC , a community violence intervention program headquartered along the city’s northeast corridor. With Jabee as its executive director, LiveFree OKC’s goal is to reduce local gun violence by intervening in high-risk situations and providing a “PeaceTeam” who can facilitate access to support and resources.
Chuck D rose to prominence in the mid-1980s as lead rapper of the hip-hop group Public Enemy, whose albums gained massive success for their heavy-hitting political commentary. Their hit single “Fight the Power” — immortalized as the theme for Spike Lee’s 1989 film “Do the Right Thing” — earned numerous accolades and is considered among the greatest songs of all time by music critics.