~*~MECCA~*~ and the word was made FRESH!

R. Mecca Islam
Mecca’s involvement in Hip Hop Culture; like many others was what lead her to saving her self from a life of drug abuse, homelessness, and ultimately mental/physical death. For years, her parents suffered from a number of diseases, these disease’s were that of drug addition, economic inequality, and the lack of an education. These problems plagued (still do) many original people throughout the nation in urban communities. These issues, along with many others, were what helped in the creation and development of what we now call Hip Hop. Because her parents were in and out of prison, Mecca felt life was hopeless and without purpose. Introduced to Hip Hop in 1987, she loved the beats, the rhymes, the style of dance, and the culture in general. After experimenting with different forms of music (Hip Hop, Rock, New Wave, Industrial, Punk), she went back to her 1st love - Hip Hop. She found positive messages of empowerment and self-determination in the lyrics by artists like Public Enemy, X-Clan, Poor Righteous Teachers, Brand Nubian, Tribe Called Quest, Del La Sol, Rakim Allah, Pete Rock & C L Smooth, Gangstarr, and many other Hip Hop groups who were popular at the time. Listening to these groups gave her hope and the idea that she could also change the direction her life was heading for. With the help, guidance, and support of a close friend she wented into college with a new look at life and the desire to better herself.
Mecca met and worked with several individuals within the growing Hip Hop community in Denver, CO. Being able to work with these individuals helped her further her understanding of Hip Hop Culture and all of its components. Mecca became fascinated by the 4 elements of Hip Hop and tried her hand at a few of the art forms. During this time, she met and worked with a well-known Hip Hop promoter in Denver. After learning the basics of event planning and promotion, she started her own company, Soil Productions, Inc.
After doing different Hip Hop events in Denver for over a year, Mecca was also the co-owner of “Divine Essence, The Hip Hop Culture Shop” A well known and well respected underground hip hop spot. The minds behind Divine Essence also created 2 monthly events, " Da 4 Realms" and "LIV MIC", for local DJs, MCs, B-Boys, and Graff Artists to express themselves and enjoy Hip Hop Culture at its fullest. These events were aimed at the youth to give them a positive atmosphere where they could enjoy Hip Hop without alcohol and drugs. All of the events were positive and successful on all levels.
Over the years, Mecca recognized the power and influence that music and T.V. has over the youth. She wanted to help bring back the positive messages that helped her changed her life and started to look for others that were working to find ways to reach the youth. In February of 2003, Mecca met Dome (Sebastian El-kouby) and Waliullah (Jarred Murrow) who founded The Foundation for the Study of Hip Hop Consciousness and the urban think tank Urban Scientists. She was asked to join The Foundation for the Study of Hip Hop Consciousness to assist them in becoming a non-profit organization, which would enable them to create programs that would empower, educate, and promote social change for the youth through Hip Hop.
The Foundation has since been restructured and a new organization has been formed. The Urban Youth Empowerment Foundation is a community-based organization, which utilizes urban trends and popular youth culture as an approach to discussing and addressing issues that affect the urban youth of today. Mecca’s primary focus is to utilize Hip Hop as a tool to motivate and empower the urban youth within the black and brown community. We want to focus on our youth, those that the media and well off ignore. We want to inspire and create empowerment, education, and social change for these youth and want to give them the tools they need to do it.
Experience and Background:
· Hip Hop enthusiast
· Owner and creator of Soil Productions Inc. * Promoter/producer of Hip Hop events throughout Denver, CO
· Owner of Divine Essence, "The Hip Hop Culture Shop"
· Co-Creator of “Da 4 Realms” and “LIV MIC!”
· Street outreach to at-risk youth
· Proud Mama of five, earth, queen, sista, builder, and artist
PEACE