Episode 160: Adisa Banjoko

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Adisa Banjoko is the founder of the Hip-Hop Chess Federation, a non-profit organization that fuses music, chess, and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and non-violence. He has a new book about the history and philosophy behind the organization called Bobby, Bruce & the Bronx: The Secrets of Hip Hop Chess. The book was originally titled Bobby, Bruce & Bam, but Adisa changed it – and very publicly resigned his years-long membership in the Zulu Nation – in light of the accusations of sexual abuse against Afrika Bambaataa.

With the Hip-Hop Chess Federation, Adisa has put on tons of workshops, seminars, and lectures to help children learn not only chess, but entrepreneurship, performing arts, and more. He has even worked with the World Chess Hall of Fame to put on one of their most successful exhibits ever.

Tracks featured in this episode:

1. Wu-Tang Clan, “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing ta F’ Wit”
2. Living Like Kings Panel Discussion
3. Above the Rim: The Game
4. X-Clan, “A Day of Outrage, Operation Snatchback
5. X-Clan, “Funkin’ lesson”
6. Boyz n the Hood 1991 Movie - Ice Cube
7. Freedom T.R.O.O.P. 187 f/Del, “What You Know”
8. Freedom T.R.O.O.P. 187 f/Boots, “Right Turn, Wrong Street”
9. Freedom T.R.O.O.P. 187, “Sad Songz”
10. The Coup, “Dig It”
11. Public Enemy, “Rebel Without A Pause”
12. EPMD, “You’re A Customer”
13. Public Enemy performs Rebel without a Pause on Soul Train
14. Los Chikos del Maiz, “Bobby Fischer Contra Spassky”
15. Lalo Schifrin, “Theme From Enter The Dragon - Main Title”
16. Pink Floyd, “On the Run”
17. Big L, “5 Fingers of Death (feat D.I.T.C.)”
18. Kung Fu TV Show Intro

Show notes:

1. S.I. Live, “Exclusive: FBI probed Wu-Tang Clan link to 2 Staten Island murders, new documents show”
2. New York Times (Jan. 1991), “Hard-Won Acceptance Spawns New Conflicts Around Ethnic Studies”
3. Leon Rainbow, “RAS X RAIN BOBBY FISCHER WALL”
4. The Hip-Hop Chess Federation Blog, “Walking Away from The UZN: The Endgame”