/ GRADUATION GUIDE / THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2011 / THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN / KANSAN.COM
Wide range of options available for new graduates
BY CLAIRE MCINERNY editor@kansan.com
As some seniors are preparing for jobs and planning their lives after school, some students are experiencing a different scenario the end of college career
er. One opportunity that enables students to make that happen is through Teach for America. Teach For America is a program that allows recent college graduates to teach in public schools in low-income communities. The assignment lasts for two years.
Four ye
degree let
a way to prolong having to find a job, but rather look at it as a way to find new opportunities and new ways for students to use their passions. She said a lot of politicians who now work in Congress were in the program and are now fighting for education rights.
Wiechman spent his two years in Saint Lucia doing community development. He helped a farmers' cooperative develop a grant proposal to get funding for a composting project from the United Nations and also taught reading and music at a school.
The Peace Corps was an attract-
ation for Wichman because
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2011
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
PAGE 12
FOUR-PART SERIES
The Promoter
BY CALVIN MCCONNELL editor@kansan.com
A target listener aims at his own industry bullseye
Last week
In-depth writer Calvin McConnell profiled Nicole Hodges Persley, assistant professor of theater. The article examines the intersection of hip-hop, performance art and academia in her work at the University. Catch up with the series online at Kansan.com.
James Baker bobs his head to a jazz-infused beat as he and a sweaty, eclectic audience in downtown Lawrence get a full serving of Midwestern hip-hop. A white male from a suburban background, he's smack in the middle of the music's target audience, but the 22-year-old self-proclaimed "hipster" promoted tonight's concert and has a vested interest in its success.
This week
romoter James
Baker stands close to the side of the stage at the Jackpot Music Hall, 933 Massachusetts St. He watches as another local hip-hop show he organized unfolds in front of him — speakers shake, emcees sound off wordplay, and the crowd moves to the rhythm.
Approach, Lawrence hip-hop guru and owner of Datura Records, walks by and pokes Baker's under-
Baker attended the concert, which ran from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., and he was astonished at its level of constant intensity. "I remember I got back to my apartment and said, 'That was like six hours of entertainment, what's up with that?'
Hed connected with the music briefly in high school, being drawn to the politicized content of emcees like Immortal Technique and Black Thought, the latter from the Philadelphia-based group The Roots. The live experience was even better,
The two connected at one of Steddy Ps concerts in Lawrence when Baker offered to hand out flyers for upcoming shows.
Fast forward just a few months and today you'll find Baker — a once
Upcoming shows
At the time, Baker was also a D.J. at the University's radio station, KJHK. He brought his newfound interest on the airwaves and began to promote local artists like Louis Ripp, atilla, Greg Enemy, Approach and Stikfiga—all from Kansas City, Lawrence or Topeka.
character played a part in his swift immersion into promoting and organizing for both Indyground and KJHK Live Events.
"He works hard and earns respect one person at a time," Johnson said. "No matter what he's doing, he realizes he represents the station as well as his own values, and he definitely knows that memories are long in Lawrence."
Baker sees it a career opportunity, even if it's not what his parents had in mind. He's proud to say that his work
"I found a passion in it. Maybe not making it, or producing music or anything like that, but just being involved in a community that is really accepting."
James Baker
belly, a fun gesture of "good job, glad you got us all together again." Baker nods naturally, like he's been doing this for years.
But Baker, the bearded, suburban kid, a senior from Dallas, had a more unexpected introduction to hip-hop. He didn't listen to "gangster rap" in his teens. In fact, it wasn't until Baker's sophomore year of college when he joined his predestined market classification.
Atmosphere, the Minneapolis duo credited with pioneering the Midwestern independent hip-hop that grabbed attention the past decade, was playing a show at The Granada, 1020 Massachusetts St.
"I skipped writing a paper until 4 in the morning," he said. Instead
though.
"I said, 'wow,' something's here.
Something is here," Baker said.
He went to more shows and researched the art, its proselytizers, critics and creators. Overall, he liked what he saw and heard.
Then, almost completely bypassing the stage of hip-hop "fan," Baker started an unusual journey into the business of promoting local hip-hop.
is part of a new school of hip-hop business that is driven by Midwestern promoters and label executives his same youthful age.
"My first impression of James was that he was a good kid who loved music and wanted to learn more — not just about the music, but more about the culture, atmosphere, and business around it," Steddy P. a Kansas City hip-hop artist and founder of local music label Indyground Entertainment, explained.
hip-hop skeptic, then halfway fan, then small-time volunteer, then radio promoter—taking part in Indyground business decisions, drafting and securing contracts and booking tours for artists.
"It's a cool business to be in, because it's definitely strategic and a lot like politics," Baker said, emphasizing the valuable entrepreneurial skills he's learned already in his short stint with Indyground Entertainment, Steddy P's Kansas City-based record label.
He said he offers a fresh perspective to artists, entrepreneurs and entertainers that have been in the business for years.
"I found a passion in it. Maybe not making it, or producing music or anything like that, but just being involved in a community that is really accepting," Baker said, looking back at his rapid progression through the local hip-hop scene.
"I did not grow up on hip-hop. All my friends are hipsters, and I'm kind of a hipster," Baker said. "I bring a breath of fresh air."
hop austin "You think of hip-hop as gangsters and people who want to beat each other up. But all these dudes are friends. They're the nicest dudes that you'll ever meet—nicer than bands."
Tom Johnson, KJHK station manager, said Baker's personality and
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