Immortal Technique, San Quinn Highlight Hip Hop Chess Panel

Emcees often use chess metaphors to boast about their intellect, but several hip-hop figures this week are taking things more literally.

The Hip Hop Chess Federations (HHCF) CEO Adisa Banjoko, will host a panel, Chess and Life Strategies, Tuesday at OConnell High School in San Francisco, Califorbia.

The panel will feature Immortal Technique, San Quinn and Hip-Hop Congress Director DLabrie.

"Immortal Technique and San Quinn are living legends to so many young people who love Hip-Hop," Banjoko said in a press release for the event. "Issues of poverty, ignorance, gentrification and violence have ravaged both of their respective cities. The HHCF wants to teach young people of all races, cultures, classes and faiths they have more options in life that it appears."

Students who attend the panel will receive a limited number of copies of Ubisofts Chessmaster 11 computer game and the book The Art of Learning: A Journey in the Pursuit of Excellence, by Josh Waitzen, who has also participated in a HHCF panel.

The HHCF has previously hosted panels with the likes of RZA, DJ QBert, Rakaa Iriscience of Dilated Peoples, Dr. Daaim Shabazz and others. The organization aims to inspire youth to enhance their social and academic lives by fusing chess, music and martial arts while giving them access to professional athletes, artists and chess players.

Other schools interested in working with the organization can visit http://hiphopchess.blogspot.com.