Rhymefest

Che Smith (born July 6, 1977), better known by his stage name Rhymefest, is an American rapper from Chicago whose first official album, '' Blue Collar'', was released in 2006. His prominent songwriting credits include co-writing Kanye West's " Jesus Walks", which won Best Rap Song at the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, and " New Slaves", taken from West's sixth studio album '' Yeezus'' (2013).

Career

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Rhymefest started off battle rapping at events such as JumpOff and ScribbleJam against acts like Eminem and Chalk. Smith co-wrote " Glory" alongside John Legend and Common, for the 2014 motion picture '' Selma''. The song received the 2014 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song and the 2014 Academy Award for Best Original Song. Che has expanded his gifts beyond the borders of music. The subject of a Showtime and Break Thru Films documentary "In My Father's House", Rhymefest purchased the childhood home of his estranged Father only to find that he'd been homeless for most of Che's life, Rhymefest then embarks on a journey to reconnect and redeem their relationship. Rhymefest's film debut was in Emilio Estevez's 2018 film ''The Public''. Fest played "Big George", starring alongside Alec Baldwin, Gabrielle Union, Taylor Shilling, Michael K. Williams, Christian Slater, and more. Rhymefest has revealed that he will be releasing an album soon titled ''Love Lessons Pt. 1''. The track "OG Philosophy" featuring Black Thought and Raheem DeVaughn was released in early 2020.

Politics

In October 2010, Smith announced his candidacy for Chicago's 20th ward alderman. He placed second in the February 22, 2011, election, and was defeated by incumbent Willie Cochran in the April 5, 2011, runoff election, getting 45.4% of the vote to Cochran's 54.6%.

He hosted a "Truth & Reconciliation" event series to enhance awareness about gun violence in Chicago.

Art of Culture (formerly Donda's House)

Rhymefest is Executive Director and co-Founder of Donda's House, Inc., now renamed Art of Culture, Inc. The organization was originally named after Kanye West's mother Donda West. Artists who were accepted into Donda's House included Hex Hectic.

Personal life

Rhymefest has three children. He is married to Heather Michele Smith. He is Muslim.

Che Guevara namesake

Che Smith, named for the Marxist revolutionary Che Guevara, addressed the matter, stating:

Awards and nominations

Grammy Awards

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, rowspan="2", 2005
, rowspan="2", '' Jesus Walks'' (as songwriter)
, Song of the Year
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, , Best Rap Song
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, , 2014
, " New Slaves" (as songwriter)
, , Best Rap Song
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, rowspan="2", 2016
, rowspan="2", '' Glory'' (as songwriter)
, , Best Rap Song
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, Best Song Written for Visual Media
,

Discography

Albums

* 2006: '' Blue Collar''
* 2010: '' El Che''

Singles

* 1996: "This Is How We Chill (Pts. 1 & 2)"
* 2005: "Dirty Dirty" (Featuring Ol' Dirty Bastard)
* 2006: " Brand New" (featuring Kanye West) #38 Ireland, #32 UK
* 2006: "Dynomite (Going Postal)"
* 2006: "Fever"
* 2006: "Wanted"
* 2007: "Angry Black Man on the Elevator" (featuring Lil Jon)
* 2009: "Chicago"

Mixtapes

* 2004: ''Brand New''
* 2005: ''A Star Is Born, Vol. 1''
* 2006: ''Plugg City: City on My Back''
* 2008: ''Mark Ronson Presents: Man in the Mirror''
* 2009: ''El Che: The Manual Mixtape''
* 2010: ''Dangerous: 5-18''
* 2010: ''Man in the Mirror 2.0''

References

External links

Rhymefest's official site
*


by Craig Lindsey

Rhymefest: Hip-Hop Is Scared of Revolution?
– interview by Ismael AbduSalaam

Interview on The World Music Foundation Podcast

{{Authority control

1977 births
African-American male rappers
African-American Muslims
Allido Records artists
Columbia College Chicago alumni
Grammy Award winners for rap music
Living people
Rappers from Chicago
21st-century American rappers
21st-century American male musicians
21st-century African-American musicians
20th-century African-American people