Carlton Ridenhour '84, '13 (Hon.), better known as rapper, writer and producer Chuck D, has been named the 2019 Woody Guthrie Prize recipient.
Carlton Ridenhour ’84, ’13 (Hon.), better known as rapper, writer and producer Chuck D, has been named the 2019 Woody Guthrie Prize recipient. The award 鈥渞ecognizes artists across media who have utilized their talents to speak for those without a platform,” according to the Woody Guthrie Center website.
It might seem a long road between Guthrie鈥攖he singer best known for 鈥淭his Land Is Your Land” and honored with a commemorative postage stamp in 1998鈥攁nd Chuck D, who in his 1990 breakaway hit 鈥淔ight the Power” intoned that 鈥渕ost of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps,” but the connection is closer than it might appear at first glance.
鈥淲oody was a fighter for the people, and Chuck D’s message has consistently aligned with Woody’s: choose a side, fight the power, and work for a better world,” center director Deana McCloud said in a statement released October 23. 鈥淲e are honored to recognize Chuck’s work as he shines a light on social and cultural issues through his words and encourages us all to take action for equality and justice. We know that Woody would be rapping right alongside him as he speaks truth to power.”
Along with having fronted the groundbreaking hip hop group Public Enemy, Chuck D acts as a spokesman for Americans for the Arts Council, the National Alliance of African-American Athletes, the National Urban League and Rock the Vote. He also sits on the board of the TransAfrica Forum, an organization focused on African, Caribbean and Latin American political issues, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. In April, Chuck D returned to 糖心破解版 for an with former University Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Perry Greene, PhD.
Chuck D will be presented with the award next month at a ceremony in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the center is located. But the recognition has already garnered a fair bit of attention, with notices in , and .
Chuck D is the sixth recipient of the annual award, joining ranks with musicians John Cougar Mellencamp, Kris Kristofferson, Pete Seeger and Mavis Staples and TV producer Norman Lear.
Read more about the .
For further information, please contact:
Todd Wilson
Strategic Communications Director听
p 鈥� 516.237.8634
e 鈥� twilson@adelphi.edu