Cabrini Green Rap Scene

PRODUCER ROBERT WINSTON

Robert Winston is the producer responsible for the
PYRITE – Cabrini Green music connection.  While Hollywood 27 was filming on location at Cabrini, Robert met Director Eric Battersby, and they quickly collaborated to place some Cabrini Green music into the film.  Although Robert helped produce the songs on the soundtrack, including the original recording of DREAM in his studio, he’s been a big proponent of the film since that fateful day on Chicago’s North Side.

He’s also a bit of a miracle, as not long after PYRITE wrapped production, Robert wound up getting a heart transplant that saved his life.  He’s another feel good story from The Greens.

Right now, in addition to still being involved in the music scene, Robert is also putting together softball and basketball tournaments for the area youth.  Call it his own personal effort to help keep kids off the streets and on the right path.

MEET K-SO (ESAUN)

K-So, or K-So G, is really Pete Keller — a white rapper who grew up in Cabrini Green.  In the mid 1990’s, K-So resurrected the famous VOICES OF CABRINI newspaper for 4 years, publishing the paper citywide.  The paper contained articles from actual tenants, as well as inmates and political officials — all supporting Cabrini.  K-So networked with famous rap artists, bringing them to Cabrini to meet the community, and he also organized marches against police brutality.*

Nowadays, however, K-So is best known as Esaun, an author and spoken word artist, no longer much into the rap scene.  He is currently developing a non-profit organization called ULON (United Legion, One Nation), that helps disenfranchised citizens such as gang members and ex-felons — helping to give them a proper education and job opportunities so they may successfully re-enter society.

In addition to all of that, Esaun also wrote a book, CROSS THE BRIDGE, dealing with race relations, an ever-changing hip-hop movement, Cabrini Green, the penitentiary system, and street culture.  An updated version of the book released in late 2012, and you can find it on Amazon.com, link on the right.