Jasiri X (born Jasiri Oronde Smith) is an American rapper and activist[1] who gained attention for his 2007 song "Free the
Jena 6."[2] He is a recipient of the
Rauschenberg Artist as Activist award[3] and co-founder of anti-violence group 1Hood.[4][5] In 2016, he was awarded an
honorary doctorate from the
Chicago Theological Seminary.[6]
After leaving school, Jasiri began spoken word,[2] performing initially as Jo Smith.[8] He also became an activist and was introduced to the
Nation of Islam, taken by an acquaintance to a mosque in 1997.[8] Jasiri met
Louis Farrakhan a year later when Farrakhan was in Pittsburgh to support a boycott, and Jasiri subsequently registered as a member the Nation of Islam. In 2005, he became the minister of Muhammad Mosque No. 22 in
Wilkinsburg.[8]
Jasiri X has created music addressing social and political issues, including his 2007 song "Free the
Jena 6",[2] "Trayvon" following
George Zimmerman's
killing of Trayvon Martin in February 2012,[9] "Do We Need to Start a Riot?"[10] and "What if the
Tea Party was Black?"[11][12] He encouraged other hip-hop artists to engage these concerns as well.[13][14]
In 2010 he released his first album, American History X.[2] In 2013, he released a second album, called Ascension, with
Vancouver label Wandering Worx.[15] In 2013, Jasiri X was part of a delegation of artists and activists, including labor leader Bill Fletcher and writer
Dream Hampton, who visited the
State of Palestine and
Israel. The
Carter Center funded the trip. Jasiri produced a music video for his rap song "Checkpoint," which is based on the occupation, oppression, colonialism, and discrimination he witnessed firsthand during his trip to Palestine and Israel. The video features footage Jasiri himself captured of Israeli soldiers and newsreel clips of
Israel Defense Forces brutality against Palestinians.[16][17][18]
Jasiri X also has a
YouTube-based show "This Week with Jasiri X"[21] and has been an advocate for
net neutrality[22] particularly as it relates to protecting access for low-income people of color.[4]
In 2006, he cofounded the anti-violence group 1Hood,[23] which includes a media academy teaching young black boys to analyze media as well as create their own.[5]
2015 USA Fellow, a $50,000 award from
United States Artists for "innovative, accomplished artists...for their fresh perspectives, unique artistic vision, and impact on their field"[7]