December 20, 2002

"The OG and the B-Boy" is a new hip-hop musical that explores the generation gap within the African American community. This performance is a collaboration between Idris Ackmoor and

Kamau Bakari. Rhodessa Jones is the director.

The initials "OG" stand for "Original Gangster," and the term "B-Boy" refers to a member of the hip-hop generation. The production tells the story of an OG (older street jazz musician) and a B-Boy (embittered, hard, gang youth) that meet on the street. After an initial confrontation, they engage in a series of conversations, and through stories, musical numbers and theatrical scenarios, explore the controversy surrounding the gulf between the two eras.

Jazz and hip-hop are the musical expressions of two firmly entrenched generational positions in "The OG and the B-Boy." The performance utilizes these musical genres as well as tap dance, spoken word and theater to portray the pain and frustration of two generations seeking their own and each other’s place in the world. The performance also addresses and speaks to violence reduction, conflict resolution and intergenerational understanding.

It is estimated that at least 400,000 American youth are currently in gangs nationwide. In addition, 1 in 4 victims of violent crimes are between the ages of 12 and 17. Murder is the second-leading cause of death for youths 14 to 17, and the leading cause of death for males in this age group. Finally, children and teens are almost always killed by other young people. Cultural Odyssey’s production of "The OG and the B-Boy" addresses these statistics through the theatrical process.

Ackamoor is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, actor, tap dancer, director and producer. He is the founder and executive/co-artistic director of the San Francisco performance company Cultural Odyssey, which is approaching its 25th year. Ackamoor is an accomplished tap dancer and his signature performance is his ability tap dance while simultaneously playing his saxophone.

Bakari is a young poet from the Western Addition neighborhood of San Francisco. He has worked with Cultural Odyssey for the past 3 years performing his solo act in the Afro Solo Festival and as a part of the JAZZ IS! school performance tour. Bakari has received praise and respect from audiences and peers for his performances with "Black Dot Artist Collective," "10 poets + a mic," "Third Eye Movement" and other artist collectives. Baraki also performs with the rap group "Renaissance" and has recently finished his debut solo album.

Jones is co-artistic director of Cultural Odyssey, and is also an actress, dancer, teacher, singer and writer. In June 2002, Jones received an Otto Rene Castillo Award for Political Theater. In June 2001, her film collaboration "We Just Telling Stories" won best documentary at the San Francisco Black Film Festival. The film profiles Jones and her work with the "Medea Project: Theater For Incarcerated Women" in the San Francisco County jails. She is director and founder of the project, which is a performance workshop designed to foster personal and social transformation among incarcerated women.

For a complete list of Martin Luther King Jr./Human Rights Celebration events, call 426-1223 or visit entertainment.boisestate.edu.

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Marcy Newman

Black Student Alliance advisor

426-1218

Christopher Hinson

Black Student Alliance

426-4259

Pat Pyke

communications and marketing

426-1987

Patri Ann Thompson

communications and marketing

426-3196