Jasiri X

Jasiri X was born Jasiri Oronde Smith in Chicago, Illinois. In the 1980s he moved with his mother to Monroeville, Pennsylvania and attended Gateway High School, graduating at age 16. Intending to become a lawyer, he began college at the University of Maryland, then attended the University of Pittsburgh but did not finish college.

After leaving school, Jasiri began spoken word, performing initially as Jo Smith. He also became an activist and was introduced to the Nation of Islam, taken by an acquaintance to a mosque in 1997. Jasiri met Louis Farrakhan a year later when Farrakhan was in Pittsburgh to support a boycott, and Jasiri subsequently registered as a member the Nation of Islam. In 2005, he became the minister of Muhammad Mosque No. 22 in Wilkinsburg.{{Cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/frontpage/2006/10/09/Local-Nation-of-Islam-minister-reaches-out/stories/200610090159|title=Local Nation of Islam minister reaches out|access-date=2017-02-19|newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|archive-date=2017-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220010907/http://www.post-gazette.com/frontpage/2006/10/09/Local-Nation-of-Islam-minister-reaches-out/stories/200610090159|url-status=live}}

Jasiri X has created music addressing social and political issues, including his 2007 song "Free the Jena 6", "Trayvon" following George Zimmerman's killing of Trayvon Martin in February 2012,{{cite news|last1=Sheets|first1=Connor Adams|title=Trayvon Martin Tribute Songs From Chaka Khan to Jasiri X [VIDEOS]|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/trayvon-martin-tribute-songs-chaka-khan-jasiri-x-videos-430788|access-date=19 September 2016|work=International Business Times|date=27 March 2012|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920065702/http://www.ibtimes.com/trayvon-martin-tribute-songs-chaka-khan-jasiri-x-videos-430788|url-status=live}} "Do We Need to Start a Riot?"{{cite news|last1=King|first1=Shaun|title=The definitive discography of police protest songs with videos and lyrics|url=http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/10/27/1339197/-The-definitive-discography-of-police-protest-songs-with-videos-and-lyrics|access-date=19 September 2016|work=The Daily Kos|date=October 27, 2014|archive-date=11 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911070606/http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/10/27/1339197/-The-definitive-discography-of-police-protest-songs-with-videos-and-lyrics|url-status=live}} and "What if the Tea Party was Black?"{{Cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/19/jasiri-x-pittsburgh-rappe_n_651483.html|title=Jasiri X, Pittsburgh Rapper, Asks America: 'What If The Tea Party Was Black?' (VIDEO)|last=Kent|first=Tom|date=2010-07-19|work=Huffington Post|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-03-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314153054/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/19/jasiri-x-pittsburgh-rappe_n_651483.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/new-rap-video-asks-what-if-the-tea-party-was-black/|title=New Rap Video Asks 'What if the Tea Party Was Black?'|last=Christopher|first=Tommy|date=July 15, 2010|work=Mediaite|access-date=March 14, 2017|archive-date=March 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314154833/http://www.mediaite.com/online/new-rap-video-asks-what-if-the-tea-party-was-black/|url-status=live}} He encouraged other hip-hop artists to engage these concerns as well.{{cite news|url=http://sacobserver.com/2014/10/time-for-hip-hop-artists-to-stand-for-black-community/|title=Time For Hip-Hop Artists to Stand For Black Community|date=October 21, 2014|work=Sacramento Observer|first1=Freddie|last1=Allen|access-date=19 September 2016|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920081926/http://sacobserver.com/2014/10/time-for-hip-hop-artists-to-stand-for-black-community/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/music/article_caf4aabe-5346-11e6-b073-7f386a1d8d5f.html|title='If I can help with the healing, it's worth it': Baton Rouge rapper Marcel P. Black talks new album, 'Cry Freedom'|last=Ivey|first=Justin|date=July 28, 2016|work=The Advocate|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en|archive-date=2017-03-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315000939/http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/entertainment_life/music/article_caf4aabe-5346-11e6-b073-7f386a1d8d5f.html|url-status=live}}

In 2010 he released his first album, American History X. In 2013, he released a second album, called Ascension, with Vancouver label Wandering Worx.{{Cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2013/03/21/Pittsburgh-rapper-Jasiri-X-goes-beyond-the-politics-on-national-debut-Ascension/stories/201303210282|title=Pittsburgh rapper Jasiri X goes beyond the politics on national debut 'Ascension'|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=2017-03-14|archive-date=2017-05-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517115258/http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2013/03/21/Pittsburgh-rapper-Jasiri-X-goes-beyond-the-politics-on-national-debut-Ascension/stories/201303210282|url-status=live}} In 2013, Jasiri X was part of a delegation of artists and activists, including labor leader Bill Fletcher and writer Dream Hampton, who visited the State of Palestine and Israel. The Carter Center funded the trip. Jasiri produced a music video for his rap song "Checkpoint," which is based on the occupation, oppression, colonialism, and discrimination he witnessed firsthand during his trip to Palestine and Israel. The video features footage Jasiri himself captured of Israeli soldiers and newsreel clips of Israel Defense Forces brutality against Palestinians.{{cite web | url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/checkpoint-music-video/ | title='Checkpoint' - Music Video | date=30 January 2014 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.pghcitypaper.com/pittsburgh/Print?oid=1726005 | title=New Jasiri X video "Checkpoint" based on trip to Middle East }}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtXoS-s1oBE | title=Behind the Checkpoint - Part 1 | website=YouTube | date=26 March 2014 }}

In 2015, he released Black Liberation Theology, with features from David Banner and Tef Poe among others.{{Cite news|url=https://allhiphop.com/2015/11/27/jasiri-xs-black-liberation-theology-invites-listeners-to-an-audio-revolution/|title=REVIEW: Jasiri X's "Black Liberation Theology" Invites Listeners To An Audio Revolution|last=Creekmur|first=Chuck "Jigsaw"|date=November 27, 2015|work=AllHiphop|access-date=March 14, 2017|archive-date=March 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170315090023/https://allhiphop.com/2015/11/27/jasiri-xs-black-liberation-theology-invites-listeners-to-an-audio-revolution/|url-status=live}} He has mentioned Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, Mobb Deep, Lauryn Hill, Tupac, the Notorious B.I.G., Public Enemy, and KRS-One as among his musical influences.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article55205740.html#storylink=cpy|title=Q&A with rapper Jasiri X, who takes social message to UPS for MLK event|last=Ocker|first=Kenny|date=January 17, 2016|work=The News Tribune|access-date=2017-03-14|language=en}}

Jasiri X also has a YouTube-based show "This Week with Jasiri X" and has been an advocate for net neutrality{{cite news|last1=Breihan|first1=Tom|title=R.E.M., Neutral Milk Hotel, Britt Daniel, Kathleen Hanna & More Endorse Net Neutrality In Open Letter To FCC|url=http://www.stereogum.com/1782933/r-e-m-neutral-milk-hotel-britt-daniel-kathleen-hanna-more-endorse-net-neutrality-in-open-letter-to-fcc/news/|access-date=19 September 2016|work=Stereogum|date=24 February 2015}} particularly as it relates to protecting access for low-income people of color.{{cite news|last1=Schultz|first1=Kayla|title="The Internet Is My Lifeline": Hip-Hop Artist Jasiri X on the FCC's Net Neutrality Vote|url=http://www.yesmagazine.org/people-power/the-internet-is-my-lifeline-hip-hop-artist-jasiri-x-on-the-fccs-net-neutrality-vote|date=March 3, 2015|language=en|access-date=19 September 2016|work=Yes! Magazine}}

In 2006, he cofounded the anti-violence group 1Hood,{{Cite news|url=http://kgou.org/post/rapper-jasiri-x-aims-change-minds-one-rhyme-time|title=Rapper Jasiri X Aims To Change Minds One Rhyme At A Time|last1=Bell|first1=Merleyn|date=August 29, 2016|work=KGOU|access-date=2017-03-14|last2=Willett|first2=Paige|language=en}} which includes a media academy teaching young black boys to analyze media as well as create their own.{{cite news|last1=New Pittsburgh Courier Editorial Staff|title=One Hood Media gives voice to Black males|url=http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2013/02/06/one-hood-media-gives-voice-to-black-males/|access-date=19 September 2016|work=New Pittsburgh Courier|date=6 February 2013|archive-date=20 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920065646/http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2013/02/06/one-hood-media-gives-voice-to-black-males/|url-status=dead}}

• 2015 "Artist as Activist" fellowship at the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation{{cite news|last1=Chandler|first1=D. L.|title=Pittsburgh Rapper Jasiri X Receives Artist As Activist Fellowship Grant|url=http://hiphopwired.com/2015/03/13/pittsburgh-rapper-jasiri-x-receives-artist-as-activist-fellowship-grant/|work=Hip-Hop Wired|date=13 March 2015}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2015/03/09/Rapper-Jasiri-X-wins-grant-from-Robert-Rauschenberg-Foundation/stories/201503090013|title=Fellowship boosts Pittsburgh rapper Jasiri X's cachet|last=Mervis|first=Scott|date=March 9, 2015|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|access-date=2017-03-14}}
• 2015 USA Fellow, a $50,000 award from United States Artists for "innovative, accomplished artists...for their fresh perspectives, unique artistic vision, and impact on their field"{{cite news|last1=Mervis|first1=Scott|title=Pittsburgh rapper Jasiri X named a USA Fellow|url=http://www.post-gazette.com/ae/music/2015/11/11/Pittsburgh-rapper-Jasiri-X-named-a-USA-Fellow/stories/201511110172|access-date=14 March 2017|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|date=November 11, 2015}}
• 2015 commission from the Open Society Foundation to create a film on the effects of the drug war on South America{{Cite web|url=https://www.sankofa.org/dispatches/73-grammy-award-winning-che-rhymefest--activist-jasiri-x-form-super-hiphop-duo-kill-switch-|title=Grammy Award Winning Che "Rhymefest" & Activist Jasiri X Form Super Hip-Hop Duo "Kill Switch"|website=sankofa.org|access-date=2017-03-14|archive-date=2017-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220014742/https://www.sankofa.org/dispatches/73-grammy-award-winning-che-rhymefest--activist-jasiri-x-form-super-hiphop-duo-kill-switch-|url-status=dead}}
• 2016 honorary doctorate from the Chicago Theological Seminary{{cite news|last1=Hook|first1=Skyy|title=Rapper/Activist Jasiri X To Receive Honorary PHD|url=http://allhiphop.com/2016/05/08/jasiri-x-receive-honorary-phd/|access-date=19 September 2016|work=Allhiphop|date=8 May 2016}}

• Conscious hip-hop
• Black Lives Matter

{{reflist}}

• [http://www.jasirix.com Jasiri X]
• [https://www.1hood.org/ 1Hood]
• [http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/panoply/politically-reactive-with-w-kamau-bell-hari-kondabolu/e/jasiri-x-hip-hop-and-the-movement-46384163 Interview with Jasiri X] on Politically Re-Active with W. Kamau Bell and Hari Kondabolu

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Category:Living people

Category:Activists for African-American civil rights

Category:African-American male rappers

Category:21st-century American male rappers

Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians

Category:Musicians from Pittsburgh

Category:Activists from Pittsburgh

Category:Rappers from Pittsburgh

Category:Rappers from Chicago

Category:21st-century American rappers

Category:Nation of Islam religious leaders

Category:Year of birth missing (living people)

Category:21st-century American male musicians

Category:21st-century African-American musicians

Category:American Muslim activists