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AWKWORD

AWKWORD is the Activist Rapper behind World View, the 1st 100% For-Charity Global Hip Hop Album, feat. 6 continents and 16 countries, out now via DJBooth.net. AWKWORD has appeared in The Village Voice, Huffington Post, The Grio, Complex, Prefix Mag, XXL, The Source, Vibe, MTV, AllHipHop, HipHopDX, etc.

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Hometown	Boiceville, NY
Genres	Hip_Hop, Alternative Hip_Hop
Band Members	AWKWORD
Achievements	» more
Upcoming Shows	None

Contact Information:
# Years Experience Performing Live:	10
Market Draw:	New York City: 151-200; Fairfield County, CT: 151-200; London: 151-200; Eastern Europe: 151-200; Scandinavia: 151-200; Boston: 101-150; Northern New Jersey: 151-200; Australia and New Zealand: 151-200; Burlington, VT: 151-200
Venue History:	Don Hills - New York, NY Southpaw - Brooklyn, NY The Bowery Poetry Club - New York, NY Nuyorican Poets Cafe - New York, NY Dillans - New York, NY The Knitting Factory - New York, NY Tuxedo Junction - Danbury, CT Monkey Bar - Danbury, CT Vassar College - Poughkeepsie, NY Syracuse University - Syracuse, NY
Opener Experience:	Masta Ace; Grandmaster Caz; J-Live; CunninLynguists; Poison Pen; Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox; Dujeous; Asheru; Jabba (Hip Hop Pantsula) (of South Africa); Pumpkinhead (PH)
Similar Artists:	Eminem; Asher Roth; Mac Miller; ILL BILL; Sabac Red; Slug (of Atmosphere); Emilio Rojas; Homeboy Sandman; Immortal Technique; Sage Francis; Remedy (of Wu-Tang)
Performing Rights Society:	ASCAP

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About the Artist

25 Topics with AWKWORD: The Definitive Biography

“Anything a writer writes should be written with the urgency of someone holding a gun in their mouth.”— Maya Angelou

“If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.”— Juan Ramón Jiménez

“I’d...

25 Topics with AWKWORD: The Definitive Biography

“Anything a writer writes should be written with the urgency of someone holding a gun in their mouth.” — Maya Angelou

“If they give you ruled paper, write the other way.” — Juan Ramón Jiménez

“I’d rather be hissed at for a good verse than applauded for a bad one.” — Victor Hugo

“One of our favorite up-and-coming emcees… even more than his good deeds, it’s his music.” — Genius

25 Topics with AWKWORD [@AWKWORDrap] – The Definitive Biography

01. AWKWORD is a 36-year-old Jewish American rapper, songwriter and executive producer.

02. AWKWORD is married to a Dominican American woman and has two (inherited) daughters, ages 10 and 13.

03. AWKWORD has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Vassar College; he focused on criminal justice, and wrote his senior thesis on Homelessness and the Politics of Public Space. He has also successfully applied for two grants for arts and education.

04. AWKWORD is co-signed by Chuck D of Public Enemy, and a number of well-respected industry vets.

05. AWKWORD re-popularized the term ‘Protest Music‘.

06. AWKWORD has been listening to rap music as long as he can remember.

07. AWKWORD attributes much of his passion to an innate, unstoppable empathy and drive for justice, as well as his own inner demons that previously led to fistfights and run-ins with the Law.

08. AWKWORD considers Hip Hop to be his savior, especially following the loss of his mother to breast cancer in 2012.

09. AWKWORD has suffered from mental illness and drug addiction.

10. AWKWORD is a lifelong activist for social justice. He has organized in communities, led protests, volunteered locally, lobbied Congress, and dedicated his life to creating EDUCATIONAL Hip Hop music (AKA #HipHopEd).

11. AWKWORD donates most of the money he earns from rap music to charity.

12. AWKWORD is the creator of 100% for-charity global Hip Hop album, World View, which features contributions from six continents and 16 countries, and from which all proceeds are donated to Guns 4 Cameras, a 501c3-registered nonprofit that strives to end gun and gang violence through the Hip Hop-inspired education and empowerment of ‘at-risk’ youth.

13. AWKWORD continues to focus on the transformative power of Hip Hop — by connecting us internationally through thought, sound and sight.

14. AWKWORD was a graffiti artist before he started rapping.

15. AWKWORD has been a writer for as long as he can remember — from scribbling lines in his pocket notebook at the dinner table to scoring a 780 (out of 800) on the SAT II, without finishing the test.

16. AWKWORD wrote and performed spoken word poetry (e.g., at the Nuyorican) before shifting to songwriting and rapping. He performed live for the first time in 1999, as the MC of an inaugural (now annual) conference he developed for his high school alongside the Anti-Defamation League; he has since performed with Hip Hop Pantsula [of South Africa], The Cool Kids, Masta Ace, Grandmaster Caz, J-Live, Asheru, Eddie B & Harry Fraud, QN5, PumpkinHead, Dujeous, and others.

17. AWKWORD has worked with producers Harry Fraud, Blended Babies, Domingo, The Audible Doctor, Anno Domini, DJ BrainDeaD (Israel), DJ J Hart (France/UK), Steel Tipped Dove, Numonics, Teck-Zilla (Nigeria/Canada), and The White Shadow of Norway; he has collaborated with dozens of other rappers, including Jadakiss, Joell Ortiz, KRS-One, Slug of Atmosphere, Sean Price, Chino XL, ILL BILL, Jasiri X, Rapper Big Pooh, Skyzoo, Modenine [Nigeria], and others.

18. AWKWORD’s anti-fracking anthem “Gas Land (Frack Off)” reached number-one on the College Rap Radio charts.

19. AWKWORD’s Harry Fraud-produced “Bars & Hooks” (feat. Sean Price, Daytona & Shakespeare) video has nearly 750,000 plays on youtube alone.

20. AWKWORD has received awards from MSNBC’s the Grio, 2DopeBoyz, HotNewHipHop, Mike Trampe, HipHopEd, Rhoadust [of Africa], Adramatic [of Belgium], and more.

21. AWKWORD has been interviewed/featured by The Village Voice, We Are Change, Rap Genius, MTV, BLUNTIQ, DeadEndHipHop, The Halftime Show with DJ Eclipse, The Library with Tim Einenkel for Chuck D’s …AndYouDon’tStop! Radio, All Around Africa [of Kenya], Green Left Weekly [of Australia], Hip Hop Breath [of France], Juice Magazin [of Germany], HHKMag [of UK], and many more.

22. AWKWORD’s music has appeared on Complex, Prefix Mag, Karen Civil, XXL, The Source, VIBE, Hot97, Rap Genius, VladTV, AllHipHop, HipHopDX, HotNewHipHop, ThisIs50, YouHeardThatNew, HipHopSince1987, The Smoking Section, OkayPlayer, HipHopWired, NahRight, 2DopeBoyz, DJBooth, stupidDOPE, Fusicology, iStandard, Earmilk, XclusiveZone, The Urban Daily, Ashley Outrageous, MTV Africa, Lily Mercer [of the UK], Yappari Hip Hop [of Japan], Versos Perfectos [of Mexico], HipHop.de [of Germany], and many others.

23. AWKWORD is working on three one emcee-one producer EPs: with Jakk Wonders (FKA The Militia) of South Africa; Trilian of Serbia; and Teck-Zilla of Canada. The Best of AWKWORD, sponsored by The Hitmen and ItsBizkit.com, is available now.

24. AWKWORD premiered his latest international Hip Hop effort, “I Am”, on February 9, 2016, through HipHopDX, after radio premiering it on Chuck D’s …AndYouDon’tStop! radio show. As part of his ongoing effort to connect us worldwide through Hip Hop music and culture, as well as showcase the Motherland, the Diaspora and women in Hip Hop, AWKWORD connected with Nigerian-born Canadian producer Teck-Zilla, Nigerian songstress Maka and French DJ J Hart to recruit an All-Star cast of emcees to join him on “I Am,” including Latasha Alcindor (USA), Holstar (Zambia), Wakazi (Tanzania), Five Steez (Jamaica), Modenine (Nigeria), The Assembly (South Africa), and Third Eye (Malawi). Aptly entitled, the song features 9 emcees sharing truths about their lives in their respective home countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the United States. “I Am” has been featured by MTV Africa, among other top sites worldwide. AWKWORD is currently raising money through a GoFundMe campaign and through his bandcamp so the crew can film a Music Video for the song, across nine countries and four continents.

25. AWKWORD is not only an artist and activist, he also interviews and writes/blogs about artists, activists, society, politics and urban culture. He has previously written for Mass Appeal, YRB Magazine, Elemental Magazine, Fly Paper, RIME, PleaseDontStare.com, etc.; he now publishes content via Praverb.net. For samples, click here.

CONTACT: @AWKWORDrap | AWKWORD@gmail.com

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Music

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Achievements

Reached 1st in Best of Urban chart in 2013. 1st for 1 week.

Hip-Hop Videos Winner, May 2012

Reached 54th in Best of Urban chart in 2016. In the top 100 for 1 week.

Reached 1st in Best of Urban chart in 2013. 1st for 1 week.

Hip-Hop Videos Winner, May 2012

Reached 54th in Best of Urban chart in 2016. In the top 100 for 1 week.

Reached 54th in Best of Urban chart in 2015. In the top 100 for 3 weeks.

Reached 45th in Best of Urban chart in 2014. In the top 100 for 14 weeks.

Reached 80th in Best of Urban chart in 2011. In the top 100 for 4 weeks.

Press Coverage

AWKWORD Press by PRAISE... MTV, RapGenius, Village Voice, VIBE, etc
Select Quotes: “Talent rap right hurrrr, AWKWORD” — Sarah Polonsky, VIBE Magazine Senior Editor “Awkword’s career is going straight up, so check him out now so you can say you knew him ‘before before.’” — Kathy Iandoli, HipHopDX Music Editor “The one and only AWKWORD [makes] quality music that deserves to be heard.” — Chuck D of Public Enemy on ANDYOUDON’TSTOP Radio “AWKWORD is as much an activist as an artist, channeling the idea of conveying a message and a viewpoint through rhyme and attempting to cause a change in the world around him.” — The Village Voice, Sound of the City “Though his mission is serious, AWKWORD’s got a quicksilver wit that permeates most of his tracks… Stay on his good side; it’s a pretty inspiring place to be.” — MTV OurStage “One of our favorite up-and-comers” — Rap Genius “One of the most impactful and globally active Hip Hop personalities in the game today” — The Hype Magazine “It’s always good to hear some MCs rap about our nation and its current state.” — HOT 97 “Awkword is putting his words where it matters.” — The Smoking Section “Refreshingly, Awkword is trying to blaze his own trail (what other White guy quotes Maya Angelou in any industry?) by releasing music with a message.” — The Urban Daily “The kind of rap that’s not afraid to truly let listeners inside.” — Kevin Nottingham “Awkword is definitely one of those MCs that should be on your radar.” — Hip Hop Game “By now you know that we fuck with Awkword heavily at the LCH headquarters; he’s one the of premier artists perpetuating pure hip-hop. His flow is consistently classic with rhymes that cut with a modern edge. It’s not fair to say that Awkword is on the come up because it seems like he’s already made it to an extent. Be on the look out for his forthcoming project “World View”, the first ever 100% for charity rap album.” — Loon, Crane, & Heron “If you’re not familiar with the grassroots hero AWKWORD then you’re way outta of the loop. This dude has been killing everything and blazing trails for a grip. Just calling him a rapper is an injustice; he’s a philanthropist, humanist, and progressive artist that has gained well-deserved recognition by some of the biggest hip-hop outlets in the game.” — Nikki Siixx “Awkword, one of my personal favorite underground rappers. Questioning everything you know, both foreign and domestic.” — HipHopSpeakeasy “AWKWORD is a social advocate and a musician. With each release he puts out it becomes more and more apparent that his name deserves to be recognized for the talent he possesses.” — Hip Hop Dependency “I’m always, always going to be a big supporter of CT local (now NY), Awkword. Even though it seems like the term ‘keeping it real’ has been overused to the point of always making it completely invalid, there are still people out there (mainly within the underground scene might I add) that actually keeping meaning to that phrase, and Awkword’s one of those people… Along with being a real dude, a fantatastic wordsmith he’s also a rapper that only seems to feature, or be featured with with equally solid artists… If you’re fan of Doomtree, Atmosphere and Fashawn then you should check this.” — Hip Hop Life And Times “Better get down with AWKWORD’s movement, he’s doing something very positive for the Hip Hop community.” — Donuts And Milk “NYC has really stepped up these past couple years [with] the emergence of dope artists/producers such as A$AP Rocky (& his Mob), Action Bronson, Maffew Ragazino, Harry Fraud, AWKWORD, Mr. Muthafuckin eXquire, OnCue, T. Shirt, Vinny Cha$e…” — Dope Music Blog “At its best hip-hop offers both an escape and reflection of our actual lives, so in that spirit I’m going to turn things over to AWKWORD from here on out.” — Nathan S., Refined Hype “AWKWORD has a very intriguing image, as a result of his slightly gangster exterior which collapses when you start talking to him. This guy is smart, intelligent with a great story, plus he’s good looking! Line up ladies!” — Sofia Topsy, Revolt Radio “Spittin’ that raw street journalism to open a few eyes.” — WeUpOnIt.com “An artist that actually presents value in his music… AWKWORD, a New York based emcee, is an activist! AWKWORD music is based on the presentation of a message. You, the audience, will get acquainted with his artistry and his activism.” — Praverb.net “In a time where it seems like the common mantra is “Fuck you, Pay Me”, this Emcee breaks away from the herd and says “Fuck that, I’m Paying back!” From Hip Hop Artist to Activist & Sociologist… this Emcee definitely represents HipHop Culture at it’s fundamental core. If you aren’t already up on this Emcee you need to do yourself a favor and get familiar.” — Outabodi Xperience “Don’t let the stage name fool you — when it comes to rocking the mic… AWKWORD is anything but.” — The DJ Booth “AWKWORD, changing up the World View / Camera for guns program, should have made world news.” — Rapper Rhymageddon

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Stage Specs

Technical Requirements

professional-quality monitors; 2 professional-quality (preferably hand-held, cordless) microphones; DJ table with all necessary wiring, including ipod hookup.

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AWKWORD

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