Grassroots Organization Reaches Out To Haiti With Hip-Hop

By Veronica Murtagh in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 27, 2010 4:20PM

In the face of the devastation in Haiti a group of young Chicago artists and activists have combined efforts, setting up the grassroots organization, Every Drop Counts. Every Drop Counts' ultimate goal is to raise funds to send water filtration equipment to Haiti that will provide much needed clean drinking and bathing water.

When faced with the challenge of how to best raise funds, local poet, writer and youth activist, Aja Monet took inspiration from her own creative background, setting the gears into motion and spearheading what has become Sunday night's Every Drop Counts Chicago Haiti Relief Benefit Concert. Monet and the Every Drop Counts volunteers have put together one of the most ambitious hip hop lineups to hit Chicago in some time, with all proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales going directly to World Water Relief.

The Every Drop Counts Chicago Haiti Relief Benefit Concert is not only for a great cause, but offers a chance to check out a bevy of Chicago-based hip hop artists under one roof. Rhymefest, The Cool Kids, BBU and Mikkey Halsted are a few of the many local talents who will perform alongside national names like M-1 (Dead Prez) and Jean Grae. Spoken word from Fred Hampton Jr. and Dr. Haki Madhubuti round out a reflective evening of community outreach and action.

Every Drop Counts Chicago Haiti Relief Benefit Concert, Sunday, January 31, at Reggie's Rock Club, 2109 S. State, 8 p.m., $15 advance, $20 door, 17+.