Kanye West launches free music program aimed at at-risk Chicago youth

Say what you will about the polarizing (and oft-arrogant) rapper Kanye West – he still knows where he came from, and is now making an effort to give back to Chicago youth. 

The Grammy Award-winning artist’s non-profit organization, Donda’s House, has launched a new writing and production program aimed at at-risk teens and young adults aged 15-24.

The project is called ‘Got Bars,’ it runs as a 10-week-long program for FREE and will teach participants as they record or publish and perform their own original written pieces.

Another added value of the the session will improve the youths’ fitness and health through exercise and proper nutrition, as well as help them learn life skills including etiquette, goal-setting and media literacy.

West’s non-profit is named after his late mother, Dr. Donda West, who died in 2007 of complications from cosmetic surgery.

Kanye West has recently become a dad which has made him miss and think about his late mother Donna even more. 

‘My mom spent her life as an educator and I am happy that Donda’s House can pick up her torch and honor her life’s mission,’ West said in a statement in July.

The project curriculum will be lead by Che ‘Rhymefest’ Smith – a veteran rapper, aspiring politician and Donda’s House co-founder/assistant director – and his wife Donnie Smith, the nonprofit’s executive director.

‘I am so happy to launch ‘Got Bars’ to honor Kanye West’s mother’s memory and to fulfill one of my Aldermanic campaign goals,’ Smith said. ”Got Bars’ will change our youth musically, get them healthy and keep them busy in a creative, peaceful environment.’

The project was made possible through a partnership between Donda’s House and community youth center ARK of St. Sabina.