RZA of Wu-Tang to Play "Alvarez" from Sons of Anarchy Feb 16th in LA for Charity Chess Eve
For Immediate Release
PR Contact: Meek Gaborski
RZA of Wu-Tang Clan Plays "Alvarez" from Sons of Anarchy at Hip-Hop Chess Tournament to Help Los Angeles Schools
Hip-Hop Chess Federation Hosts Fundraiser and Celebrity Chess Tournament to Help South Central LA
Los Angeles, CA 2/14/14- The Hip-Hop Chess Federation (HHCF) is proud to announce that it will host its upcoming Chess Kings Invitational , a celebrity chess tournament, at the Anaheim Business Expo on Sunday Feb 16th 2014. Wu-Tang Clan's RZA will defend his title in an 8 man speed chess tournament. RZA won the first HHCF heavyweight title belt in 2007. See video here. Through Crowdtilt.com they hosted an online fundraiser to teach chess and non-violence to Los Angeles youth. They raised the 5k needed to launch the program in two LA schools.
The HHCF will be teaming with a submission only (tapout only, no points) Braziian Jiu Jitsu tournament called the KO Finisher for the event. Some of the biggest names in jiu jitsu will gather together to prove their skills. A portion of the ticket sales will help the HHCF expansion into Los Angeles.
Hip-Hop Chess Federation Founder, Adisa “The Bishop” Banjoko stated “The HHCF is very excited to be hosting an event in LA. No one has ever seen anything like what we are about to do. This event will help get HHCF the funds to start to after school programs in South Central Los Angeles. I have chosen Santee High School as one, and the other will be determined by RZA, our Director of Outreach. The HHCF is grateful to Kurt Osiander, Nick Greene and everybody at the KO Finisher for allowing us to join forces. Together we will showcase the beautiful fusion of jiu jitsu, chess and non-violence to the planet.”
The events that day will include HHCF’s Founder giving a short presentation on the philosophical connections between chess and jiu jitsu. The HHCF will also host a Mind Over Matter Panel featuring RZA, as well as notable chess masters, martial arts masters and educators. It will be a discussion on how Hip-Hop, chess and martial arts can lead American youth to unity, strategy and nonviolence.
Dilated Peoples Rakaa Iriscience, Mike Relm, DJ Rob Flow and Quadir Lateef will be on hand and other special guests will be announced shortly. In related news, the HHCF recently released Street Games Vol. 1 hosted by DJ Rob Flow and A-Plus of Souls of Mischief. Street Games is a profanity free mixtape about the connections between Hip-Hop Chess and martial arts. It includes A Technical Flow by Kalhi feat. UFC coach Ryron Gracie, 64 Squares in the Cipher by Sunspot Jonz, Zumbi and Rakaa Iriscience, The Chess Clock by Quadir Lateef and Jasiri X, and The Maurice Piece, a tribute to the first Black Grandmaster of chess, Maurice Ashley.
UFC Fighter, Brendan Schaub, Emilio Rivera aka "Alvarez" from Sons of Anarchy and Malcolm Mays aka "Tahime" from Life of a King will also be playing in the Chess Kings Invitational with many others from Hip-Hop,MMA and film industry.
RZA has a message for those who seek to take his title: “I am looking forward to the upcoming chess battle at the HHCF Chess Kings Invitational in Los Angeles. To those knowing I have to defend my belt, get ready to protect ya neck.”
A full schedule of events for the Chess Kings Invitational is posted below . Learn more about HHCF at www.hiphopchessfedertion.org !!
About Hip-Hop Chess Federation: The Hip-Hop Chess Federation is the first nonprofit 501(c)3 to fuse music, chess and martial arts to promote unity, strategy and nonviolence. They host celebrity chess events and panels of life strategies for at-risk, gang impacted and gang intentional youth. Artists like RZA and GZA from Wu-Tang Clan, The Jacka, Immortal Technique, Asheru, Zion I, DJ Qbert, Dilated Peoples, Hieroglyphics and many others have participated in their events. Founder Adisa Banjoko has presented at Harvard University and World Chess Hall of Fame on how chess, martial arts and music promote peace in the streets in 2013. Visit their official website at .
RZA and HHCF Founder Adisa “The Bishop” Banjoko
HHCF Chess Kings Invitational Schedule
WHERE: Anaheim Business Expo
1960 S Anaheim Way, Anaheim, CA 92805
Mind Over Matter Panel: Hip-Hop, Chess & Education at 1 PM - 2 PM
This panel will discuss how chess and martial arts can improve the current state of education and society at large. It will also cover some of the more subtle challenges and innovative solutions available in today’s schools.
Music provided by: DJ Havik MZK/Beat Junkies & DJ Dyps MZK Universal Zulu Nation
RZA- Wu-Tang Clan, Author Wu Manual and Tao of Wu
Emilio Rivera- Actor, Sons of Anarchy/ Gang Related
Andrew McGregor - LA Chessboxing Founder, Photojournalist
Dr. Martin Gomez - Phd Principal at Santee Education Complex
Sergio Flores - Senior Dir. of Transformation of Secondary Schools for Partnership for LA Schools
Rakaa Iriscience- Rapper, Dilated Peoples, Gracie Jiu Jitsu Purple belt
A short live illustration between positional and philosophical correlations between chess and jiu jitsu
HHCF Chess King Invitational Tournament at 2:45 PM
RZA - HHCF Chess King Title Holder, Wu-Tang Clan / Man With The Iron Fists)
Emilio Rivera- Actor, Sons of Anarchy/ Gang Related
Brendan Schaub (UFC/Metamoris Fighter)
Cliff Curtis- Actor, Trauma, Missing, Training Day
Rugged Monk - Rapper, Black Knights
Shafiq Husayn- Producer, Sa-Ra, Eryka Badu, Talib Kweli
Ralek Gracie - Gracie Jiu Jitsu Master / MMA Fighter
Malcolm Mays- Actor, Life of A King
HHCF Health Corner:
Dr. Peter Goldman, chiropractor to BJ Penn, Gilbert Melendez, Jake Shields, Rickson Gracie, Clark Gracie, Eddie Bravo, Rigan Machado, Bas Rutten, NFL players, Pro Hockey players and many other of the world's best professional athletes will be adjusting 2PM to 4PM Adjustments are $95. To schedule your appointment with Dr. Pete email sfgoldman@gmail.com. His website is
HHCF Cipher: TBD
(CARD SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
