Name	The Roots
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alias	The Legendary Roots Crew, The Fifth Dynasty, The Square Roots, The Foundation
Genre	Alternative hip hop, neo soul, soul, funk, alternative rock, jazz-rap
Years active	1987–present
Label	DGC, MCA, Interscope-Geffen-A&M;, Def Jam
associated acts	Soulquarians, Jill Scott, Martin Luther, Jaguar Wright Amel Larrieux, John Legend Dave Chappelle
Website
Current members	Black Thought ?uestlove Kamal Gray F. Knuckles Captain Kirk Douglas Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson James Poyser Mark Kelley
Past members	Kenyatta "Kid Crumbs" Warren Josh "Rubberband" Abrams Malik B. Rahzel Scott Storch Martin Luther Ben Kenney Scratch Dice Raw Hub Owen Biddle
Background	group_or_band }}

The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals. Malik B., Leonard "Hub" Hubbard, and Josh Abrams were added to the band, originally called ''The Square Roots''.

The Roots released an independently produced debut album, ''Organix'', in 1993. In 1995, with the label DGC Records, the band released ''Do You Want More?!!!??!''. Two guest performers on ''Do You Want More?!!!??!'', Rahzel and Scott Storch joined the group. Soon after, however, Storch left the band and was replaced by Kamal Gray. Their next album, ''Illadelph Halflife'', was released in 1996. With ''Illadelph Halflife'' the band again gained members in Scratch and Dice Raw. The band's next album, ''Things Fall Apart'', was a breakthrough album in that it was their first album to break the top 10 of the Billboard 200 (peaking at 4). Also in 1999, the band released an EP, ''The Legendary'', and a live album titled ''The Roots Come Alive''. Rahzel, Dice Raw, and Malik B. all parted from the band for differing reasons. In 2000, guitarist Ben Kenney joined The Roots and would stay with the band through their next album, ''Phrenology'', before leaving to join rock band Incubus. After ''Phrenology'', guest performer F. Knuckles became a permanent member and Captain Kirk Douglas replaced Kenney, while Scratch also decided to leave the group. The next album was 2004's ''The Tipping Point'' followed by ''Game Theory'' in 2006. During 2007, longtime member Leonard Hubbard decided to retire. He was replaced by Owen Biddle. ''Rising Down'', the eighth studio album from The Roots, was released in 2008. Their next album, ''How I Got Over'', was released on June 21, 2010. They announced in October 2011 that their next album (and first concept album), ''Undun'', would be released on December 6, 2011.

They have collaborated with a wide range of artists from different genres, including John Legend, Roy Ayers and Cody Chesnutt. The Roots have generated a great deal of critical acclaim and influenced numerous rap and R&B; acts. On March 2, 2009, The Roots became the house band on ''Late Night with Jimmy Fallon''.

Band history

thumb|left|Rapper Black Thought is the lead vocalist of The Roots.

Early history and ''Organix''

The group's original lineup was formed when rapper Black Thought (Tariq Trotter) and drummer Questlove (Ahmir Thompson) became friends at the Philadelphia High School for Creative Performing Arts around 1987. They began to do shows around Philadelphia and New York City with bassist Leonard "Hub" Hubbard and rapper Malik B. By 1991, Black Thought began attending Millersville University and established the line-up, under the collective name The Square Roots. In 1993, the Roots recorded an album ''Organix'' to promote at European concerts.

''From the Ground Up'' EP

''From the Ground Up'' is an EP released by The Roots in 1994. It was the group's first release on a major label, having recently been signed with Geffen Records.

''Do You Want More?!!!??!''

The Roots' first album for DGC, ''Do You Want More?!!!??!'', was released in 1995. It was a moderate hit among alternative music fans due in part to the group's appearance at Lollapalooza. The band also performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival that year. Touring guests, beatboxer Rahzel and producer Scott Storch, joined the Roots.

''Illadelph Halflife''

The 1996 release ''Illadelph Halflife'' was the group's first album to crack the Top 40 on the Billboard 200 chart, spurred in part by MTV's airplay of the video for "What They Do" (a parody of rap video clichés) and "Clones," which was their first single to reach the top five on the rap charts. "What They Do" was also the group's first single to hit the Top 40 of Billboard's charts, reaching a peak of #34. While continuing on the path of live instrumentation, the album's sound was somewhat darker.

''Things Fall Apart''

The group released ''Things Fall Apart'' in 1999 (named after ''Things Fall Apart'', a novel by Chinua Achebe, which in turn was named after a line from The Second Coming by W.B. Yeats). This was their breakthrough album, peaking at #4 on the Billboard 200 charts and earning a gold record, signifying U.S. sales of at least 500,000 units. Mos Def contributed to the track entitled "Double Trouble." The track "Act Two" features Afropean singer Zap Mama and Common. The track "You Got Me", a duet with R&B; singer Erykah Badu and Eve and Jill Scott intended by Black Thought for the "unconscious" population, peaked at #39 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. At the 42nd Grammy Awards "You Got Me" won the award for Best Performance By A Duo Or Group and the album was nominated for Best Rap Album.

Steve Huey of the website allmusic perceived "a strong affinity for the neo-soul movement" in the album. First-time cameos on ''TFA'' for Philly natives Beanie Sigel and Eve helped to earn them major record deals later (with Roc-A-Fella and Ruff Ryders, respectively). After this album, Dice Raw left the collective to record his solo debut album ''Reclaiming the Dead''. In the summer, the band performed at the Woodstock '99 concert in New York state.

''Phrenology''

Several members, including long time member Malik B., left the group. In December 2001, the Roots backed Jay-Z for his ''MTV Unplugged'' concert. With heightened popularity came mounting pressure. The Roots released ''Phrenology'' (named after the pseudoscience of Phrenology) in 2002. Despite not charting as high as ''Things Fall Apart,'' reaching a peak of #28 on the charts, ''Phrenology'' was commercially successful, eventually going gold, and earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album. At the time, however, there came rumors that the Roots were losing interest in their signing with MCA.

During this time the band also backed Jay-Z for his 2003 farewell concert in Madison Square Garden, and appeared in the accompanying "Fade to Black" DVD.

''The Tipping Point''

After ''Phrenology'', Ben Kenney and Scratch both left the group; Kenney joined the rock band Incubus. This culminated with the release of 2004's ''The Tipping Point'', the byproduct of several jam sessions. The album earned two more Grammy nominations: one for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for the track "Star" and another for Best Rap Performance By A Duo Or Group for the track "Don't Say Nuthin'." ''The Tipping Point'' peaked at #4 on the ''Billboard'' album chart. In 2005, ''Home Grown! The Beginner's Guide To Understanding The Roots, Volumes 1 & 2'', a two-disc compilation album, was released. The Roots were among several performers on the 2006 film ''Dave Chappelle's Block Party'', whose event took place on September 18, 2004 and was released on film two years later.

''Game Theory''

''Game Theory'' was released August 29, 2006, on Def Jam records. Questlove describes the album as being very dark and reflective of the political state in America. The first single from the album, "Don't Feel Right", appeared on the internet in May 2006, and is available for free download on several web sites. Various guest appearances had been rumored, but ''Scratch'' magazine confirmed only two: Peedi Peedi and Malik B. The album's first video, titled "The Don't Feel Right Trilogy", premiered on August 21, 2006, and features three songs, "In the Music", "Here I Come" and "Don't Feel Right". It earned an 83 on Metacritic and 2 Grammy Nominations. The late J Dilla is honoured on different occasions throughout the album. Track 1 is credited to be "Supervised by J Dilla". Track 13 "Can't Stop This" is totally devoted to his persona, the first part being an edited version of a track ("Time : The Donut of the Heart") of his ''Donuts'' album, released three days before his death. This version comprises vocals by Black Thought. Secondly, a string of kindred artists reminisce about J Dilla in the form of answering machine messages.

''Rising Down''

The Roots' eighth studio album (10th overall), ''Rising Down'', was released on April 29, 2008, the 16-year anniversary of the Los Angeles riots of 1992.

In the weeks before the album's release, the original first single "Birthday Girl", a radio-friendly collaboration with Fall Out Boy's Patrick Stump was removed from the album reportedly because it didn't fit in with the album's tone. It remained as a digital download available from iTunes as a bonus track, as well as on international releases.

Picking up where ''Game Theory'' left off, the album maintains a dark and political tone, with Black Thought and several guests venting about the ills of society today. The album's guests include Chrisette Michele, Common, Mos Def, Saigon, Styles P, Talib Kweli, and Wale; it also features Philly favorites Dice Raw, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Peedi Crakk, P.O.R.N., and Truck North, as well as former member Malik B. ''Rising Down'' features the Roots incorporating a more electronic and synth-heavy feel into their sound. ''Rising Down'' was released to critical acclaim, garnering an overall score of 80 on Metacritic.

The album's first single was "Rising Up" featuring Chrisette Michele and D.C. rapper Wale.

''How I Got Over''

''How I Got Over'' reflects the relief the band felt at the end of the Bush administration and the beginning of the Obama presidency. Guests include L.A. rapper Blu, Phonte of Little Brother and Patty Crash, whose song ''Serve This Royalty'' is covered on the album. Rather than relying on samples, the album was recorded live, with covers (including ''Celestial Blues'', featuring the song's original artist, Andy Bey) being reinterpreted by the band. The album was released on June 22, 2010.

On June 24, 2010, The Roots debuted the first single and title track from the album live on ''Late Night with Jimmy Fallon''. The song features longtime Roots collaborator Dice Raw.

''Wake Up!''

The Roots collaborated with R&B; singer John Legend on the album ''Wake Up!''. The album was released on September 21, 2010, and was publicized two days later with a live concert at Terminal 5 in New York City with John Legend and Jennifer Hudson that was streamed on YouTube. On October 30, 2010 The Roots and John Legend played live at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, D.C.

On February 10, 2011 The "Wake Up Radio" Mixtape was released. The mixtape is mixed by J.Period in conjunction with The Roots & John Legend. The mixtape features remixes of classic soul and R&B; song, as well using different takes from songs used on "Wake Up" and "How I Got Over". The mixtape has new and old verses from hip hop legends such as Common, Blu, Dead Prez, Q-Tip, Rakim, Pete Rock, Kanye and (of course), Black Thought. Some classic soul artists used on mixtapes includes: James Brown, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack, Isaac Hayes, Sam Cooke, and Aretha Franklin.

''Undun''

The Roots have announced their upcoming thirteenth album ''Undun'', releasing via Def Jam Records on December 6th, 2011 . The first single "Make My" leaked on October 17, 2011.

Members

The Roots' original lineup included Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter (MC) and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson (drums), who were classmates at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. As they began to play at school and on the streets, they added bassist Josh "The Rubberband" Abrams, who went on to form the jazz group The Josh Abrams Quartet. They later added another MC Malik Abdul Basit-Smart ("Malik B."), a new bassist, Leonard Nelson Hubbard ("Hub"), and keyboardist Scott Storch. MC Kenyatta "Kid Crumbs" Warren, was a part of the group for their first album, Organix, but did not appear on any later albums.Another MC, Dice Raw, joined on for cameos in later albums. The Roots filled Storch's position with keyboardist, Kamal Gray, who continues to be a member. Beatboxer Rahzel was a member of the group from 1995 to 1999. Alongside Rahzel was vocal turntablist Scratch, who DJ'd for them during live concerts. However, he abruptly left in 2003. Malik B. left the group in 1999 due to drug problems but continued to record, making occasional cameos on future albums. Guitarist Ben Kenney, had a short stint with the group and contributed to their ''Phrenology'' album, but left to join Incubus as their bassist. A percussionist, F Knuckles, was added in 2002 and guitarist, Kirk Douglas (a.k.a. "Captain Kirk"), replaced Kenney. Martin Luther, a vocalist, toured with The Roots in 2003 and 2004 and contributed to the ''Tipping Point'' album. The group announced in August 2007, to the dismay of fans, that longtime bassist, Leonard Hubbard, was leaving the group. "One of our partners is leaving us tonight, ladies and gentlemen, Leonard Hubbard" (Black Thought @ moe.down 8/31/07).

The current members of The Roots are Black Thought (MC), Questlove (drums), Kamal (keyboard), Frank Knuckles (percussion) (also a former Protégé of Questlove), and Cap'n Kirk (guitar). Recently, they have toured with sousaphonist Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson and Game Theory producer and current bassist Owen Biddle. For their performances on the Jimmy Fallon show, keyboardist James Poyser contributes additional keyboards.

The band announced on August 25th, 2011 that Owen has left the band and will be replaced by Mark Kelley.

Most members have worked with PETA to promote compassion for animals and the vegetarian lifestyle.

Because the band members hail from Philadelphia and its surrounding area, they showed their support for the Phillies during the 2009 World Series against the Yankees, displaying Phillies memorabilia when performing on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon. On the episode which aired the day after the Yankees clinched the title, "Questlove" stated "No comment!" on the show's intro (when he usually states the episode number), and had a Yankees logo purposely displayed upside-down on his drumset. In 2010, the group showed support for the Flyers during their run to the Stanley Cup Final by having the team logo on their drumset.

Touring and other work

The band tours extensively, and their live sets are frequently hailed as the best in the genre. Recently, the band played a concert in NYC's Radio City Music Hall with Common, Nas, Talib Kweli and Big Daddy Kane. They also backed Jay-Z a third time, for his Reasonable Doubt Concert, a celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the release of his first album.

In 1994, the Roots appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation album, ''Stolen Moments: Red Hot + Cool''. The album, meant to raise awareness and funds in support of the AIDS epidemic in relation to the African American community, was heralded as "Album of the Year" by ''Time'' magazine. They have been highly involved in many other Red Hot Organization productions, including the 1998 album, ''Red Hot + Rhapsody'' and the 2001 album ''Red Hot + Indigo'', a tribute to Duke Ellington.

The Roots have been featured in four movies: ''Dave Chappelle's Block Party'', both performing album songs and playing as a backing band for other artists; Spike Lee's ''Bamboozled''; Marc Levin's ''Brooklyn Babylon'', in which Black Thought plays the protagonist, Solomon, and former band member Rahzel narrates; and ''Chasing Liberty'', starring Mandy Moore. Black Thought and Questlove were both featured in the movie ''Brown Sugar''. Black Thought also made an appearance in the film ''Love Rome'' as Tariq Trotter, and Questlove currently appears in the recent documentary movie about TBC Brass Band called ''From the Mouthpiece on Back'', which lists The Roots as one of the executive producers of the movie.

The band guest performed on August 25 and 26 with the Dave Matthews Band during their 2007 summer tour. Members of The Roots played in various forms as well as a whole band on DMB's back to back concerts at Alpine Valley Music Theatre in East Troy, Wisconsin. In 2007 the band also performed at an NAACP tribute to Bono, covering U2's "Sunday Bloody Sunday" and "Pride (In the Name of Love)". Black Thought mixed in lines form the band's own "False Media."

The group hosts a highly-anticipated Jam Session every year the night before the Grammys. The Roots Jam Session, produced by Okayplayer, Goodtime Girl Entertainment and Keldof, has been attended by everyone from Jay-Z, Beyoncé Knowles and Tom Cruise to Don Cheadle, Jeremy Piven and Prince with impromptu performances from Snoop Dogg and Corrine Bailey Rae to Queen Latifah, Matisyahu, Fall Out Boy and Dave Chappelle.

Billed as The Roots, Questlove, Kirk and Owen made an appearance on ''The Colbert Report'' on April 15, 2008 when Stephen Colbert spent a week in Philadelphia prior to the 2008 Pennsylvania Democratic primary. During the appearance, they performed the intro song to the show, and closed the episode with a rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.

The song "Here I Come" was featured in the movies ''Superbad'' and ''Hancock''. "Here I Come" is also featured in many video games including ''Project Gotham Racing 4''. The song "The Seed 2.0" featuring Cody ChesnuTT was featured in the movies ''Collateral'' and ''I Think I Love My Wife''. The song "Don't Say Nuthin" was featured in the first season episode, "Busey And The Beach" of HBO's ''Entourage''.

They have also performed on the popular kids show ''Yo Gabba Gabba'', performing "Lovely, Love My Family" in 2008.

In March 2009, The Roots became the new official house band on ''Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'', with "Here I Come" as the show's theme.

The Roots host an annual all day music festival in Philadelphia, PA every June.

The Roots are also featured on the ''Men in Black Original Soundtrack'' (1997) with the song "The Notic" with neo-soul singer D'Angelo.

The Roots recently collaborated with John Legend on an album entitled Wake Up, which was released in September 2010. Inspired initially by the historic Presidential election campaign of 2008, 'Wake Up!' primarily revives soul and funk tracks from the late-Sixties and early-Seventies that boasted lyrical themes of change, hope and activism.

The Roots and John Legend opened the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in Washington, D.C. on October 30, 2010.

The Roots, Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, and Taylor Hicks performed Rebecca Black's viral hit "Friday" on the ''Late Night with Jimmy Fallon'' show on April Fool's Day, 2011.

The Roots are currently working on their 13th studio album, titled ''Undun,'' which is due for late 2011.

Awards

Grammy Awards

* 1999: Won for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "You Got Me" (featuring Erykah Badu and Eve)

* 2002: Nominated for Best Rap Album for ''Phrenology''

* 2004: Nominated for Best Urban/Alternative Performance for "Star"

* 2004: Nominated for Best Rap Performance By a Duo/Group for "Don't Say Nuthin'"

* 2007: Nominated for Best Rap Album for ''Game Theory''

* 2007: Nominated for Best Rap Performance By a Duo/Group for "Don't Feel Right"

* 2011: Won for Best Group or Duo R&B; Vocal Performance for ''Shine''

* 2011: Won for Best Traditional R&B; Vocal Performance for "Hang on in There" (with John Legend)

* 2011: Won for Best R&B; Album for ''Wake Up!''

* 2011: Nominated for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Wake Up Everybody"

* 2011: Nominated for Best Rap Album for ''How I Got Over''

MTV Video Music Awards

* 2003: Nominated for MTV2 award for "The Seed 2.0"

mtvU Woodie Awards

* 2004: Nominated for Road Woodie and Welcome Back Woodie

BET Awards

* 2005: Nominated for Best Group

* 2009: Nominated for Best Group

NAACP Image Awards

* 2005: Nominated for Outstanding Duo or Group

* 2007: Won for Outstanding Duo or Group

* 2011: Won for Outstanding Collaboration for ''Wake Up!''

* 2011: Won for Outstanding Album for ''Wake Up!''

Named one of the "twenty greatest live acts in the world" by ''Rolling Stone'', 2003

Won a "Heroes Award" from the Philadelphia chapter of the Recording Academy, 2004

First Hip-Hop group to perform at Lincoln Center in January, 2002

Won Max Stevenson International Hip-Hop Award for ''Game Theory'' album, 2007

Band members

Black Thought – MC (1987–present)

Questlove – Drums (1987–present)

Kamal Gray – Electronic keyboard (1995–present)

F. Knuckles – Percussion (2002–present)

Captain Kirk Douglas – Electric guitar (2003–present)

Damon "Tuba Gooding Jr." Bryson – Sousaphone (2007–present)

James Poyser – Electronic keyboard

Mark Kelley - Bass (2011-present)

;Former members

Malik B. – MC (1987–1999)

Kid Crumbs (Kenyatta Warren) – MC (1993)

Rubberband (Josh Abrams) – Bass (1988–1990)

Rahzel – Beatbox (1995–1999)

Dice Raw – MC (1995–2000)

Scott Storch – Electronic keyboard (1995)

Ben Kenney – Electric guitar (2000–2003)

Martin Luther – MC (2003–2004)

Scratch – Beatbox (1998–2003)

Leonard Hub Hubbard  – Bass (1992–2007)

Owen Biddle – Bass (2007–2011)

Discography

; Studio albums

1993: ''Organix!''

1994: ''From the Ground Up'' (EP)

1995: ''Do You Want More?!!!??!''

1996: ''Illadelph Halflife''

1999: ''Things Fall Apart''

1999: ''The Legendary'' (EP)

2002: ''Phrenology''

2004: ''The Tipping Point''

2006: ''Game Theory''

2008: ''Rising Down''

2010: ''How I Got Over''

2010: ''Wake Up!'' (with John Legend)

2011: ''Undun''

References

External links

TheRoots.com

The Roots' official website

[ The Roots at Allmusic]

TheRootsArchive.com

Retrospective of The Roots @ DefJam

Timeline The Roots Band of Brothers

How I Got Over review at Cream

Category:Alternative hip hop groups Category:Def Jam Recordings artists Category:East Coast hip hop groups Category:Geffen Records artists Category:Grammy Award winners Category:MCA Records artists Category:Musical groups established in 1987 Category:Musical groups from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Category:Rappers from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

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name	Cody Chesnutt
background	solo_singer
origin	Atlanta, Georgia
genre	Rock and roll, R&B;, soul
occupation	Composer, musician
associated acts	The Crosswalk
notable instruments	}}

Cody Chesnutt (stylized as Cody ChesnuTT, born 1968) is an American R&B; and neo soul musician.

Biography

Cody Chesnutt is an American musician of African American descent from Atlanta, Georgia, whose music blends elements of rock, funk, soul, hip hop, and blues. Chesnutt and his former band, The Crosswalk, had a brief stint with Hollywood Records in which they were later booted from the label. The band subsequently broke up and Chesnutt released a double LP in 2002 entitled ''The Headphone Masterpiece'', which was recorded on a 4-track cassette recorder in his bedroom recording studio, which he calls "The Sonic Promiseland".

His closest brush with mainstream success came in 2002, when the hip hop group The Roots remade a song from his album, "The Seed", for their album, ''Phrenology''. The remade version, entitled "The Seed (2.0)" to distinguish it from the original, was featured on the ''Collateral'' soundtrack. Chesnutt plays guitar and sings vocals on the track, and appears in its music video, which received heavy airplay on MTV and BET. At the height of his popularity, Chesnutt's backing band consisted of drummer Craig Waters, now with the band The Bellrays, and bassist Aaron Ebensperger. In October 2003, Cody Chesnutt was nominated for the prestigious Shortlist Music Prize, and performed in the ceremony for the prize at the Wiltern Theatre in California.

In 2006, Chesnutt appeared in the music documentary ''Dave Chappelle's Block Party'', which was originally recorded in September 2004. The same year, he recorded the track "Boils" for the 4AD records album ''Plague Songs''. On his MySpace announced an upcoming album titled ''The Live Release'', which he has been performing around the world but was never officially published or released. In 2007, he performed at the Pop Montreal music festival as one of the headliners.

In 2010 he released an EP called ''Black Skin No Value''. Furthermore he stated in an interview that he will publish his second big album ''Landing On A Hundred'' in 2011.

Trivia

Many acclaimed musicians count Cody Chesnutt as an exciting force within the field of music. In an interview on MTV's Subterranean, Radiohead's Thom Yorke listed the singer as one of his favorite new acts.

His song "5 on a Joyride" is featured in the film ''Me and You and Everyone We Know''. Recently, his song "Look Good in Leather" from the album ''The Headphone Masterpiece'' has been featured in an Axe commercial. "The Seed 2.0" is included in the Collateral Soundtrack.

He appears as himself in the 2002 independent film ''Charlotte Sometimes'', performing on stage, and several of his songs are featured in the soundtrack, including "My Women, My Guitars," "5 on a Joyride," and "Boylife in America."

Discography

Albums

2002: ''The Headphone Masterpiece''

2006: ''The Live Release'' (unpublished)

2010: ''Black Skin No Value'' (EP)

2011: ''Landing On A Hundred''

Singles

2001: Look Good in Leather ''("AXE Instinct"-Werbespot (2009))''

2002: "The World Is Coming"

2002: The Seed 2.0 ''(featuring The Roots)''

2006: The Last Adam

2008: "Afrobama"

2010: "Come Back Like Spring"

Featured singles

"The Seed (2.0)" (featuring The Roots) (UK #33)

Notes

External links

Category:African American musicians Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American soul musicians Category:Living people Category:Neo soul singers Category:American musicians of Jamaican descent Category:1968 births

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Name	Rik Cordero
Birth name	Fredric Joseph Cordero
Origin	Queens, New York, United States
Birth date	March 21, 1979
Genre	Music Video, Feature Film, Commercial
Years active	2007–present
Production co.	Robot Films
Website	Official Website
Background	non_performing_personnel }}

Fredric Joseph "Rik" Cordero (born March 21, 1979) is an award winning independent music video, commercial, and film director of Filipino descent. He was born and raised in Queens, New York and is known for applying unusual, non-traditional shooting methods in his work. The Fader has proclaimed his music videos as miracles while the wildly popular Hip Hop blog Nah Right has called him the only Hip Hop video director on the planet. Cordero was nominated for Video Director Of The Year at the 2009 BET Awards and was the recipient of the Best Film Award for his feature film, "Inside A Change" which made its world premiere at the 2009 HBO New York International Latino Film Festival. In 2010, Cordero was seen in Sprite's print and television ads for their "Spark" campaign. The ads featured him as a Hollywood director discovering inspiration in very unlikely ways. He recently wrapped his latest feature "Starla", a thriller executive produced by Chris Robinson and "The World Is Watching", a documentary about the culture of New York City high school basketball produced by Nike and narrated by Spike Lee. Cordero was also a featured director for SHOOT Magazine's 9th Annual New Director's Showcase held at the DGA Theater on May 10, 2011.

Selected Filmography

"The World Is Watching" (2011) (documentary) (post production)

"Starla" (2011) (feature) (post production)

"Be My Girl" - Trevante (2011) (music video)

"Start Again" – D-Pryde (2011) (music video)

"Outro Flow" – D-Pryde (2011) (music video)

"Where I'm From" – United States Marine Corps (2011) (commercial)

"Welcome To The Imperial" collaboration with Lemon (poet) (2010) (viral video)

"The Fire" – The Roots feat. John Legend (2010) (music video)

"Big N Bad" – Kid Sister (2010) (music video)

"Diary" – Wale (2010) (music video)

"Childish Games" – Consequence feat. Asher Roth (2010) (music video)

"She Makes Me Feel Alright" – Freeway and Jake One (2010) (music video)

"Our Dreams" – Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface (2010) (music video)

''Inside A Change'' (2009) (feature)

"Mixin Up The Medicine" – Juelz Santana feat. Yelawolf (2009) (music video)

"Popular Demand" – The Clipse feat. Cam'ron (2009) (music video)

"Frozen" – Jared Evan (2009) (music video)

"The One" – Slaughterhouse (2009) (music video)

"Deeper Than Rap" – Rick Ross (2009) (short film)

"Buggin' Out 09" – Consequence and Kid Cudi (2009) (music video)

"Manwomanboogie" – Q-Tip feat. Amanda Diva (2009) (music video)

"Arab Money" – Busta Rhymes (2008) (music video)

"Part Of Me" – Royce Da 5'9" (2008) (music video)

"Who Run This" – Jadakiss (2008) (music video)

"Move" – Q-Tip (2008) (music video)

"Be A N****r Too" – Nas (2008) (music video)

"Rising Up" – The Roots feat. Chrisette Michelle and Wale (2008) (music video)

"Birthday Girl" – The Roots feat. Patrick Stump and Sasha Grey (2008) (music video)

"Get Busy" – The Roots (2008) (music video)

"75 Bars: Black’s Reconstruction" – The Roots (2008) (music video)

"Neva Have 2 Worry" – Snoop Dogg (2008) (music video)

"Feel This Way" – Consequence feat. John Legend (2008) (music video)

"Barrel Brothers" – Ghostface feat. Beanie Sigel & Styles P (2007) (music video)

"Go Low" – Beanie Sigel (2007) (music video)

"Blue Magic" – Jay-Z (2007) (trailer)

"Uncle Raheim" – Consequence (2007) (music video)

"Brooklyn Bullshit" – Joell Ortiz (2007) (music video)

"I’ve Been Lost" – +/- (2006) (music video)

''Mend'' (2005) (feature)

Awards and Nominations

Selected Director for 2011 SHOOT Magazine 9th Annual New Directors Showcase

Best Film Award at 2009 HBO New York International Latino Film Festival for ''Inside A Change''

Video Director Of The Year Nominee at 2009 BET Awards

Best Music Video Award at 2008 No Exit Music Video Festival for "Stop Hittin Me" – Big Lou

Best Director Award at 2007 No Exit Music Video Festival for "I’ve Been Lost" – +/-

Best Music Video Award at 2006 New York Asian American International Film Festival for "I’ve Been Lost" – +/-

Best Music Video Award at 2005 New York Asian American International Film Festival for "Park, Park – The Mighty Sweet

NYIT SOURCE (Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression) Award for “Ducksauce” Senior Thesis Animation (2002)

References

Rik Cordero’s new documentary hits home with a SLAMonline writer – slamonline.com – 06/06/11

SHOOT Magazine 9th Annual New Directors Showcase Rik Cordero Profile – nds.shootonline.com – 05/13/11

SHOOT Magazine Announces Selected Helmers Making The Final Cut For 2011 9th Annual New Directors Showcase – shootonline.com – 05/02/11

Robot’s Rik Cordero Brings Marines Home – screenmag.com – 02/08/11

Robot's Rik Cordero Reaches To Your Hometown For The United States Marine Corps – presskitchen.blog.wordpress.com – 02/03/11

The United States Marine Corps Celebrates Hometowns In Honor Of Black History Month – prnewswire.com – 02/01/11

Michigan Movie Clips – freep.com – 01/21/11

THE WORLD IS WATCHING – thesavile.com – 12/08/10

What’s On My iPod: Rik Cordero – smokingsection.uproxx.com – 11/24/10

Tarrus Riley releases video for Superman – jamaicaobserver.com – 11/09/10

Meet Pop's Three Million Dollar Man! – usmagazine.com – 10/06/10

The Why In NYC – suitsiswatching.com – 08/19/10

WATCH: New Video from the Roots with John Legend – spin.com – 07/28/10

The Roots – “The Fire” (Feat. John Legend) Video – stereogum.com – 07/28/10

Watch: Cannibalistic New Roots Video – pitchfork.com – 07/27/10

Watch the Roots and John Legend’s Confusing New Video, �?The Fire’ – nymag.com – 07/27/10

The Roots, The Fire – filtermagazine.com – 07/27/10

Watch The Roots' War Movie Pastiche Music Video for "The Fire" – thelmagazine.com – 07/26/10

N.O.R.E. Explains Unreleased Nas Cameo On The War Report 2 – mtv.com – 05/18/10

Wale Plays The Gentleman In 'Diary' Video – mtv.com – 05/03/10

Wu-Tang Trio Say Video For 'Our Dreams' Looks 'Like A Movie' – mtv.com – 02/24/10

Sprite The Spark Campaign – thecoca-colacompany.com – 02/11/10

Drake Teams With Sprite for 'Spark' Campaign – billboard.com – 02/11/10

Sprite Unleashes �?The Spark’ – atlanta.bizjournals.com – 02/11/10

"Obama Fried Chicken" Owner Demanded $3,000 for Video: Director – nbcnewyork.com – 11/23/09

"Obama Fried Chicken" Sign Cut From Rap Video – nbcnewyork.com – 11/21/09

Interview: Rik Cordero, video producer and director, Three/21 Media – prweekus.com – 09/16/09

Inside Rik Cordero’s Change: Young Video Director Carves Place in Movies with Noted Film Project – humannaturemag.com – 09/09/09

12FTDWENDE X Rik Cordero (+ a lil’ youngdscott) – 12ftdwende.com – 08/25/09

Rik Cordero: Music Video Director To Promising Film Maker – ballerstatus.com – 07/28/09

Where Rik Cordero and Fiery Furnaces Collide – villagevoice.com – 07/08/09

Who Killed the Video Star? – cbsnews.com – 06/29/09

Inside A Change – hiphopdx.com – 06/21/09

5 Minutes with Rik Cordero – nicekicks.com – 06/08/09

Interview: Rik Cordero (video director) – thickonline.com – 06/03/09

30 under 30: rik cordero – angryasianman.com – 05/27/09

Beyonce, T.I. Nominated For BET Awards – billboard.com – 05/14/09

Hip-Hop and Online Video: What the Hell’s Going On!?!? – portal-a.com – 03/06/09

Q&A;: Rik Cordero – limitemagazine.com – 02/12/09

The Man Behind The Scenes – aandrdepartment.com – 01/14/09

The Man Behind The Scenes – musicfeatures.blogspot.com – 01/14/09

10 People Who Have Me Excited About Hip Hop. #2 – hiphopdx.com – 12/24/08

SpeechIsMyHammer x Rik Cordero (Pt. 2) – speechismyhammer.com – 12/24/08

SpeechIsMyHammer x Rik Cordero (Pt. 1) – speechismyhammer.com – 12/22/08

Rik Cordero: Inside The Learning Curve – rubyhornet.com – 12/15/08

Guest Contribution: A Man with a Movie Camera – bakitwhy.com – 12/07/08

The StreetCred.com Interview: Rik Cordero – streetcred.com – 12/03/08

Is Rik Cordero the Timbaland of Music Videos? – highsnobiety.com – 11/25/08

EXCLUSIVE: On The Set of “Arab Money” With Rik Cordero – giant.blackplanet.com – 11/13/08

PROFILE: Rik Cordero, director @ Three/21 Media – videostatic.com – 11/07/08

Electric Relaxation: Rik Cordero :: Reexamining the hip-hop video mold – urb.com – 10/06/08

Six New Directors Who Are Making Music Video Cool Again – wired.com – 09/22/08

Statik Selektah X Rik Cordero – urb.com – 08/28/08

10 Questions Vol. 1 (Rik Cordero) – thatsmajor.info – 07/15/08

Nas, Battling DJs And Asia’s Biggest Pop Star Get Together For Earthquake Relief (on Rik Cordero) – mtv.com – 07/14/08

Video: Nas: "Sly Fox" – pitchforkmedia.com – 07/11/08

Wale & Rik Cordero Visualize �?Artistic Integrity’ – complex.com – 06/25/08

Rik Cordero Gets In Touch – shotsringout.com – 06/12/08

Nas Reveals 'N*gger' Video, Album Cover – billboard.biz – 05/30/08

Nas Debuts Controversial Video in New York City – rollingstone.com – 05/30/08

Rik Cordero – massappealmag.com – 05/16/08

Radar: Rik Cordero – sixshot.com – 05/13/08

NEW RELEASE: The Roots "Rising Down" – videostatic.com – 05/08/08

Interview Session: Rik Cordero – musicalessence.wordpress.com – 05/06/08

Rik Cordero Antagonizes Feminist Film Theory With "Birthday Girl" Video – idolator.com – 04/16/08

Interview with Rik Cordero – hoodhype.com – 04/08/08

Guerilla Video: An Interview with Rik Cordero – fobbdeep.com – 03/12/08

Snap Judgment: Snoop Dogg's 'Neva Have 2 Worry' video – ew.com – 03/07/08

Rik Cordero: Shoot 'Em Up – hiphopdx.com – 02/08/08

Rik Cordero Interview – bnqt.com – 12/17/07

Fire Starter: Rik Cordero – mtv.com – 12/10/07

Rik Cordero: The Future – giantmag.com – 12/06/07

Hustler Watch: Rik Cordero – eighty81.com – 11/27/07

Director Rik Cordero's Bold Music Video Trailer Generates Overwhelming Internet Response – biz.yahoo.com – 10/23/07

External links

IMDB

Rik Cordero

Category:Living people Category:1979 births

name	John Legend
background	solo_singer
birth name	John Roger Stephens
birth date	December 28, 1978
origin	Springfield, Ohio, United States
instrument	Vocals, piano, keyboards
alma mater	University of Pennsylvania
genre	R&B;, hip hop soul, soul, neo soul, jazz fusion
occupation	Singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actor
years active	2001–present
label	GOOD, Sony Music
associated acts	Kanye West, Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Lupe Fiasco, The Roots
website	}}

John Roger Stephens (born December 28, 1978), better known by his stage name John Legend, is an American singer, musician, and actor. He is the recipient of nine Grammy Awards, and in 2007, he received the special Starlight award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Prior to the release of his debut album, Stephens' career gained momentum through a series of successful collaborations with multiple established artists. Stephens added his voice to those of other artists, assisting in them reaching chart-topper hits. He lent his voice to that of Kanye West, on Slum Village's "Selfish" and Dilated Peoples' "This Way". Other artists included Jay-Z's "Encore", and he sang backing vocals on Alicia Keys' 2003 song "You Don't Know My Name" and Fort Minor's "High Road." Stephens played piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything."

Life and career

1978–2009: Early life and career beginnings

Stephens was born on December 28, 1978, in Springfield, Ohio. He is the son of Phyllis, a seamstress, and Ronald, a factory worker and former National Guardsman. Throughout his childhood, Stephens was homeschooled on and off by his mother. At the age of four, he began playing the piano and at the age of seven, he performed with his church choir. When he was ten, his parents divorced, causing his mother to suffer a breakdown. At the age of 12, Stephens attended North High School, from which he graduated four years later. He graduated salutatorian.

According to Stephens, he was offered scholarships to Harvard University, Georgetown University and Morehouse College. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied English with an emphasis on African American literature. While in college, he helmed Counterparts, a co-ed jazz and pop a cappella group as president (1997–1998) and musical director (1998–1999). Stephens' lead vocals on the group's recording of Joan Osborne's "One of Us" propelled the song to critical acclaim landing the song on the track list of the 1998 ''Best of Collegiate a Cappella'' compilation CD. Stephens was also a member of the prestigious Sphinx Senior Society while an undergraduate at Penn. While in college, Stephens was introduced to Lauryn Hill by a friend. Hill hired him to play piano on "Everything Is Everything", a song from her album, ''The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill''.

During this period, Stephens took time to hold a number of shows around Philadelphia, eventually expanding his audience base to New York, Boston, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. He finished college in 1999, and thereafter began producing, writing, and recording his own music. He released two albums independently; his self-titled demo (2000) and 'Live at Jimmy's Uptown' (2001), which he sold at his shows.

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Stephens began working as a management consultant for the Boston Consulting Group. During this time, he began working on his demo and began sending his work to various record labels. In 2001, Devo Springsteen introduced Stephens to then up-and-coming hip-hop artist Kanye West; Stephens was hired to sing during the hooks of West's music. After signing to West's label, he chose his stage name from a nickname that was given to him by poet J. Ivy, due to Stephens' "old-school sound". Stephens' vocals can be heard on several tracks including Alicia Keys' "You Don't Know My Name", Jay-Z's "Encore", Kanye West's "Never Let Me Down," also featuring Jay-Z and J. Ivy, Dilated Peoples' "This Way" and Slum Village's "Selfish".

2004–2005: ''Get Lifted''

Stephens released his debut album, ''Get Lifted'', in December 2004. It debuted at number seven on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 116,000 copies in its first week. It went on to sell 2.1 million copies in the United States and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. It has sold three million copies worldwide. The album produced two singles: "Ordinary People" (US and UK top 30) went straight to number one and "Used to Love U" (US top 100, UK top 30).

2006–2007: ''Once Again''

The first single from his second album, ''Once Again'', was "Save Room". The album was released October 24, 2006, and boasts production from Kanye West, Raphael Saadiq, and will.i.am. In an interview with MTV, he said that this album contained his favorite song that he had written to date, entitled "Again." He said he came up with the idea for the song and wrote some of it while sitting on a subway. He stated that the song was also the inspiration for the album's title.

In August 2006 Stephens appeared in an episode of ''Sesame Street''. He performed a song entitled "It Feels Good When You Sing a Song", a duet with Hoots the Owl. He also performed during the pregame show of ''Super Bowl XL'' in Detroit and the halftime show at the ''2006 NBA All-Star Game''.

2008–2010: ''Evolver''

Stephens released his third studio album ''Evolver'', in October 2008. Rapper Andre 3000 of OutKast is featured on the first single of the album on a song titled "Green Light". "It's going to be a surprise for a lot of John Legend fans, because it is a lot more upbeat than John is — than people think John is," Andre insisted. "I was actually happy to hear it. This is a cool John Legend song". The next single from ''Evolver'' was confirmed as "Everybody Knows".

Speaking in July 2008 to noted UK R&B; writer Pete Lewis of the award-winning "Blues & Soul", he explained his reasons for titling the album 'Evolver': "Well I think people sometimes come to expect certain things from certain artists. They expect you to kind of stay in the same place you were at when you started out. Whereas I feel I want my career to be defined by the fact that I'm NOT gonna stay in the same place, and that I'm always gonna try new things and experiment. So, as I think this album represents a manifestation of that, I came up with the title 'Evolver'."

In 2009, Stephens performed in The People Speak a documentary feature film that uses dramatic and musical performances of the letters, diaries, and speeches of everyday Americans, based on historian Howard Zinn's "A People's History of the United States”.

2010: Wake Up!

John Legend and The Roots teamed up to record a collaborative album, ''Wake Up!'', which was released on September 21, 2010. The first single released off the album was "Wake Up Everybody" featuring singer Melanie Fiona and rapper Common; a video for the song has been released. "Hard Times" is the second single.

In February 2011 John won three Grammy Awards (one by himself and two with The Roots) at the 53rd Annual Grammy Music Awards Ceremony. Legend won a Grammy Award for Best R&B; Song for "Shine", and he and The Roots won Grammy Awards for Best R&B; Album (''Wake Up!'') and Best Traditional R&B; Vocal Performance for "Hang On In There". In March 2011 Legend and the Roots won two NAACP Image Awards – one for Outstanding Album (''Wake Up!'') and one for Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration.

2011–Present: Tour & Work on New Album

Legend is currently on a 50-date tour as a guest for British Soul band Sade. In the San Diego stop, Legend confirmed that he is working on his next studio album, and played a new song called "Dreams".

Legal Troubles

On July 5, 2011, songwriter Anthony Stokes filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against John Legend in United States District Court, in the District of New Jersey, alleging that Legend's song "Maxine's Interlude" from his 2006 album ''Once Again'' derives from Stokes' demo "Where Are You Now." Stokes claims he gave Legend a demo of the song in 2004 following a concert at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Legend has denied the allegations, telling E! Online, "I never heard of his song until he sued me. I would never steal anyone's song. We will fight it in court and we will prevail." Nearly 60,000 people took a TMZ.com poll that compared the two songs and 65% of voters believe that Legend's "Maxine's Interlude" is a rip-off of Stokes' "Where Are You Now."

Collaborations

In 2005 was featured in the Fort Minor song "High Road".

In 2006 was featured in Sérgio Mendes's collaboration album, ''Timeless'', singing "Please Baby Don't".

In 2006 collaborated with Jay-Z on the album ''Kingdom Come'' on the song "Do U Wanna Ride".

Collaborated with Japanese R&B; duo CHEMISTRY on their 2006 single "Tōkage".

Collaborated with Mary J. Blige on "King & Queen".

In 2007 lent his vocals for the ''Rich Boy'' track "Ghetto Rich".

In 2008 collaborated with Colombian Rock artist Juanes at the Latin Grammys, singing in Spanish along with Juanes, on the bilingual version of the song "''Si tu estas ahi''" also known as "''If You Are Out There''".

Featured in The Black Eyed Peas song, "Like That". The song "Ordinary People" was originally meant to be for a Black Eyed Peas project, but he decided to keep it for himself and recorded the song after he had been signed to Columbia Records.

Tentatively worked with Michael Jackson on a future album. In a Dutch interview with singer and host Tommy Parker, he was asked about this collaboration. His response was that he had written one song for the upcoming album, but was unsure about whether Jackson would be using it.

Sang "The Girl is Mine" and the national anthem along with Stephen Colbert on ''The Colbert Report''.

Featured on the sixth track ("Heartbreaker") of MSTRKRFT's second album ''Fist of God''.

He collaborated with Fergie for her song "Finally" on her 2006 debut album "''The Dutchess''".

Featured in T.I.'s song "Slide Show" on his album ''Paper Trail''. A music video for "Slide Show" was released on August 10, 2009, featuring a video collage; it is unknown as of yet, however, if it is an official single.

He is also featured in the song "Magnificent" by Rick Ross. The music video has cameo appearances from DJ Khaled saying and wearing "We the Best!!", Birdman, Ace Hood, Triple C's, and Special Ed. It was released on March 3, 2009, and it was directed by music video director Gil Green. It was filmed at Gulfstream Park Racetrack in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The two later collaborated on the songs "Sweet Life" and "Free Mason," the former of which failed to make the cut for the follow-up album, Teflon Don, and the latter of which featured rapper Jay-Z as well.

Co-wrote (and played piano on) "Move on Me" by British singer-songwriter Fin Greenall (a.k.a Fink) from the album "Sort of Revolution" (2009)

Collaborated with Reggae legend Buju Banton on the track "Can't Be My Lover". The track is one of the biggest mixes of R&B; and Reggae/Dancehall in years.

In 2009 recorded a duet with Brazilian singer Ana Carolina called ":pt:Entreolhares (The Way You’re Looking at Me)". He sings in English, and she sings in Portuguese.

In the summer of 2009 he recorded a duet with ex-member of Sin Bandera, Noel Schajris, called ''"No Importa"'' (It Doesn't Matter). He sings in English and Spanish.

In 2009 a duet version "Save Room" featuring German band, Monrose, was released under the title "Save Room (Let's Get Strictly Physical)".

Has plans to collaborate with British born talent, Stefan Vitalis, to produce a soulful and dynamic record.

Recorded a cover of the U2 song "Pride (in the name of love)"

Collaborated with Nas for the title track on DJ Khaled's 2010 album Victory.

In 2010 collaborated with Pink and Herbie Hancock for a recording of Peter Gabriel's song "Don't Give Up", which featured on Hancock's album The Imagine Project.

Collaborated with Lupe Fiasco on the track "Never Forget You."

Collaborated with Kanye West on the song "Blame Game" on West's album ''My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy''.

In September 2010 collaborated with British dubstep trio, Magnetic Man, on a track entitled "Getting Nowhere".

Collaborated with Lil Wayne on the track "So Special." On Wayne's album ''Tha Carter IV''.

Music videos and acting career

His cover of Stevie Wonder's 1974 hit song "Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing" appeared in Will Smith/Eva Mendes' film ''Hitch'' and on the soundtrack album of the movie.

The 2007 video for his single, "P.D.A. (We Just Don't Care)", features Alexandre Rodrigues and Melvin Bragg from the critically acclaimed film, ''City of God''.

Songs attributed to John Legend have appeared in feature films, as follows:

"Refuge" appears on the soundtrack to the 2006 film ''The Second Chance''.

"Dare to Dream" is in the 2007 movie ''Pride''.

"Someday" is part of the soundtrack to the 2007 film ''August Rush''.

"Shine" was written for the end credits of the 2010 film ''Waiting for Superman''.

He has a supporting, singing-only role in the 2008 movie ''Soul Men'', where he plays the deceased lead singer of a fictitious soul group that includes Samuel L. Jackson and Bernie Mac. Although he has no real dialogue in the film, he only sings a song called "I'm Your Puppet" along with Jackson and Mac.

Endeavors

Television appearances and commercials

Performed "God Bless America" during the 7th inning stretch at the 2006 Major League Baseball All Star Game in Pittsburgh, PA.

Appeared on the season finale of ''Curb Your Enthusiasm'', singing a cover of "You Don't Know Me". He also appeared on an episode of the television series "Las Vegas" in February 2007, performing his single "Save Room" solo at the end of the episode.

In 2007 performed with John Mayer and Corinne Bailey Rae at the Grammy Awards. He later appeared with Bailey Rae in several live performances.

Appeared in a recent commercial for a Lexus SUV, in which Legend is shown listening to Nina Simone's "Backlash Blues" (recorded live in Paris, 1968, on ''The Great Show'' LP) and describing his experience with the music. He is also notable for performing closing music in many of Apple Inc CEO Steve Jobs' keynote presentations.

In January 2008 sang in a video for Barack Obama, produced by Will.I.Am called "''Yes We Can''".

Performed "America The Beautiful" at WrestleMania XXIV on Sunday March 30, 2008 at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida.

In a 2008 Target commercial performed a piece of his song "Slow Dance" to pitch his new album "available exclusively at Target." The commercial was shown during online streaming episodes of NBC programs.

In 2008 performed several numbers live in front of tens of thousands of fans during the "Welcome to America" July 4 celebration on the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, in Philadelphia, PA.

Performed at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver in September 2008.

Appeared on ''Real Time with Bill Maher'' on October 31, 2008. He was a member of the panel and performed "If You're Out There" at the end of the show.

Appeared on CNN Heroes 2008, which was taped November 22, 2008, and was televised November 27, 2008.

Appeared to perform the song in duet with Colombian rock singer Juanes during the 9th Annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on November 13, 2008. The version they performed was sung mostly in Spanish by both singers, with only a few lines in English.

On Sunday, January 18, 2009, performed at the We Are One:The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial, singing James Taylor's "Shower the People" with James Taylor and Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland.

On Friday, February 13, 2009, he was a guest and performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. John performed his song, "Everybody Knows" from his album, Evolver.

Performed at the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Launch party at LAX in Las Vegas on February 12, 2009.

Performed at the 2009 NBA All-Star Game halftime show on February 15, 2009.

Performed at the 81st Academy Awards on February 22, 2009, singing "Down to Earth" nominated for Best Original Song.

On an episode of ''The Colbert Report'' which aired March 7, 2008, performed "The Girl Is Mine" with Stephen Colbert. It was a remake of the Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney hit. Returned to ''The Colbert Report'' on April 14, 2008, performing "The Star-Spangled Banner" with Stephen Colbert, opening the show's week in Philadelphia. He later appeared in Colbert's Christmas special ''A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All'', where he performed an ode to nutmeg. His fourth appearance aired September 9, 2010, when he performed a tribute to returning American troops in the second half of the two-part special ''Been There, Won That: The Returnification of the Ameri-Can-Do Troopscape''. He sung "Coming Home" from his 2006 album Once Again.

On Sunday, May 17, 2009, served as commencement speaker for the University of Pennsylvania's 2009 graduation ceremonies. Amy Goodman happened to be in the audience, and she televised the speech the following Tuesday, May 19, 2009 on ''Democracy Now!''.

On June 12, 2009, co-hosted ESPN's ''Mike and Mike in the Morning'' on the ESPN2/ESPN Radio simulcast with Mike Greenberg. He sat in for Mike Golic.

On August 23, 2010, performed at the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant, Evening Gown segment, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On October 27, 2010, performed the American National Anthem for the 2010 World Series opener.

On October 30, 2010, performed at the Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear with The Roots.

On February 24, 2011, Legend appeared on the season 2 finale of ''Royal Pains''.

Interviewed by host John Jacobsen as the third guest on the first season of PBS television's ''The Artist Toolbox''.

Charitable Endeavors & Philanthropy

On July 7, 2007, he participated in the Live Earth concert in London, performing "Ordinary People". On July 8, 2007, he participated in the Montreux Jazz Festival in Montreux, Switzerland, with India.Arie. On July 11, 2007, he participated in the Jazz Open Festival in Stuttgart, Germany, with Amy Winehouse. On September 21, 2008, he also performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, UK in conjunction with the Peace One Day concert. He sang "Green Light" and "If You're Out There".

''The Show Me Campaign'', through which his fans are encouraged to donate funds toward improving the living situations and prospects of victims of extreme poverty in Mbola, Tanzania, is another example of Stephens' charitable involvement. In early 2008, he began touring with Professor Jeff Sachs of Columbia University's Earth Institute to promote sustainable development as an achievable goal.

Stephens returned to his hometown of Springfield, Ohio on Christmas Eve 2007 for a "Coming Home Christmas Benefit Concert" in the auditorium of North High School. The performance featured several local talent from Springfield, including Legend's younger brother Vaughn Anthony Stephens, who helped organize the concert. The performance also featured a tribute to Jason Collier, and proceeds went to a scholarship fund set up in his name for local high schoolers.

After reading Professor Jeffrey Sachs' book, ''The End of Poverty'', Stephens was inspired to visit Ghana to learn more about making life better for the people who live under the poverty line. This is when he started his "Show Me Campaign" in 2007. With this campaign, Stephens called on his fans to help him in his initiative for those who reside in Bossaso Village and non-profit organizations that the campaign partners with.

In 2007 Stephens was the spokesman for GQ Magazine's "Gentlemen's Fund", an initiative to raise support and awareness for five cornerstones essential to men: opportunity, health, education, environment, and justice.

In May 2007 he partnered with Tide laundry detergent to raise awareness about the need of families in St. Bernard Parish, (Slidell, LA) one of the most devastated areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. He spent a day folding laundry at the Tide "clean start" mobile laundromat and visited homes which Tide is helping to rebuild in that community.

In October 2007 he became involved with a project sponsored by The Gap, a retail clothing store chain in the United States. Through their "project red campaign" (also called "2 WEEKS"), The Gap's contribution to their global fund from the sale of each (2 WEEKS) t-shirt is equivalent to the average cost of 2 weeks of anti-retroviral medicine in Africa, which enables people living with HIV to lead healthy, normal lives.

In 2009 Stephens gave AIDS Service Center NYC permission to remix his song "If You're Out There" to create a music video promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and testing.

Stephens claims to have contributed a share of the proceeds of some tickets for his August 13, 2009, concert at Madison Square Garden to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

Stephens is also the National spokesperson for and has performed benefit concerts for "Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT). MLT is a national non-profit organization that has made ground-breaking progress assisting the next generation of African American, Hispanic and Native American leaders in major corporations, non-profit organizations and entrepreneurial ventures.

On January 22, 2010, he performed "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child" on the ''Hope for Haiti Now'' telethon show.

On September 8, 2010, John Legend joined the national board of Teach for America. Legend also sits on the boards of The Education Equality Project and the Harlem Village Academies, and serves as co-chair (with Rupert Murdoch) of the Harlem Village Academies’ National Leadership Board.

On September 9, 2010, he performed "Coming Home" on the Colbert Report as a tribute song for the end of combat operations in Iraq, and for the active troops and the veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

In 2011, he contributed the track "Love I've Never Known" to the Red Hot Organization's most recent album "Red Hot+Rio 2." The album is a follow-up to the 1996 "Red Hot+Rio." Proceeds from the album sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues.

Endorsements

Stephens is currently a spokesperson for the Baileys line of alcoholic beverages. He also spoke on behalf of The Polka Dotz at Milwaukee's 2008 German Fest.

He performed and spoke at his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, on behalf of the Barack Obama Presidential campaign in April 2008. He later performed "If You're Out There" from the album ''Evolver'' and a duet of Will.i.am's "Yes We Can" at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. Also, he performed a half-hour set list in support of Barack Obama in his hometown of Springfield, as well as at The Ohio State University and Wright State University campuses on September 29, 2008.

Private "Fan Appreciation" Events

On July 26, 2007, Stephens hosted a John Legend Network Members Only Party and Concert called "The Kings & Queens Bash" at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. There were 500 participants in attendance and he introduced the acts from his new label, Homeschool Records to his John Legend Network fans: Estelle, his brother, Vaughn Anthony Stephens, Lucy Woodward and The James Gang. Harmonicist Frederic Yonnet performed as a special guest.

On July 25, 2008, at the Highline Ballroom in New York City, John Legend planned another annual private event for his fans who are members of the John Legend Network called "John Legend Unplugged". Legend performed a 21-song set list, including several songs from his ''Evolver'' album. This allowed John Legend Network members to be the first to hear the new songs. After the party, John greeted each individual on their way out and took pictures with fans.

On February 8, 2011 John Legend performed at Arizona State University's Gammage Auditorium for a Black History Month event presented by the Undergraduate Student Government.

Discography

''Get Lifted'' (2004)

''Once Again'' (2006)

''Evolver'' (2008)

''Wake Up!'' (with The Roots) (2010)

New Album (2012)

Filmography

Television
!Year	!Title	!Role	!Notes
2006	''Sesame Street''	Himself
	''Curb Your Enthusiasm''	Himself/Performer	''Season 6 Finale, 'The Bat Mitzvah'''
	Himself/Performer	''Season 4 Episode 11, 'Wagers of Sin'''
2008	''A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All''	Forest Ranger	''Christmas Special''
2009		Himself	Documentary
2010	Dancing with the Stars	Himself/Performer
2011	''Royal Pains''	Himself/Performer	"Listen to the Music"
Film
!Year	!Title	!Role	!Notes
	''Sesame Street: Elmo Loves You!''	Himself
''Soul Men''	Marcus Hooks

See also

List of awards and nominations received by John Legend

References

External links

Official website

John Legend – The Artists Organization – Management

John Legend in-depth interview by Pete Lewis, 'Blues & Soul' October 2010

http://articles.latimes.com/2009/dec/12/entertainment/la-et-people-speak12-2009dec12

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Name	Malcolm X
Birth date	May 19, 1925
Birth place	Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
Death date	February 21, 1965
Death place	New York City, U.S.
Other names	Malcolm Little, El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz
Movement	Black nationalism, Pan-Africanism
Organization	Nation of Islam, Muslim Mosque, Inc., Organization of Afro-American Unity
Religion	Sunni Islam
Influences	Elijah Muhammad, Marcus Garvey
Influenced
Signature	Malcolm X Signature.svg }}

Malcolm X (; May 19, 1925 February 21, 1965), born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (), was an African-American Muslim minister, public speaker, and human rights activist. To his admirers, he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its crimes against black Americans. His detractors accused him of preaching racism, black supremacy, antisemitism, and violence. He has been called one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history, and in 1998, ''TIME'' named ''The Autobiography of Malcolm X'' one of the ten most influential nonfiction books of the 20th century.

Malcolm X was born in Omaha, Nebraska. The events of his childhood, including his father's lessons concerning black pride and self-reliance, and his own experiences concerning race played a significant role in Malcolm X's adult life. By the time he was thirteen, his father had died and his mother had been committed to a mental hospital. After living in a series of foster homes, Malcolm X became involved in a number of criminal activities in Boston and New York City. In 1946, Malcolm X was sentenced to eight to ten years in prison.

While in prison, Malcolm X became a member of the Nation of Islam, and after his parole in 1952 he became one of the Nation's leaders and chief spokesmen. For nearly a dozen years he was the public face of the controversial group. Tension between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad, head of the Nation of Islam, led to Malcolm X's quitting the organization in March 1964. He subsequently traveled extensively throughout Africa and the Middle East and founded Muslim Mosque, Inc., a religious organization, and the secular Organization of Afro-American Unity, which advocated Pan-Africanism. Less than a year after he left the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X was assassinated by three members of the group while giving a speech in New York.

The beliefs expressed by Malcolm X changed during his lifetime. As a spokesman for the Nation of Islam he taught black supremacy and deified the leaders of the organization. He also advocated the separation of black and white Americans, which put him at odds with the civil rights movement, which was working towards integration. After he left the Nation of Islam in 1964, Malcolm X became a Sunni Muslim, made the pilgrimage to Mecca and disavowed racism, while remaining a champion of black self-determination, self defense, and human rights. He expressed a willingness to work with civil rights leaders and described his previous position with the Nation of Islam as that of a "zombie".

Early years

Malcolm Little was born on May 19, 1925, in Omaha, Nebraska, the fourth of seven children to Earl Little and Louise Norton. His father was an outspoken Baptist lay speaker. He supported Pan-African activist Marcus Garvey and was a local leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). Malcolm never forgot the values of black pride and self-reliance that his father and other UNIA leaders preached. Malcolm X later said that three of Earl Little's brothers, one of whom was lynched, died violently at the hands of white men. Because of Ku Klux Klan threats, the family relocated in 1926 to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and shortly thereafter to Lansing, Michigan.

Earl Little, who was dark-skinned, was born in Reynolds, Georgia. He had three children from his first marriage: Ella, Mary, and Earl Jr.—and seven with his second wife, Louise: Wilfred, Hilda, Philbert, Malcolm, Reginald, Yvonne, and Wesley. Louise Norton Little was born in Grenada. Because her father was Scottish, she was so light-skinned that she could have passed for white. Malcolm inherited his light complexion from his mother and maternal grandfather. Initially he felt his light skin was a status symbol, but he later said he "hated every drop of that white rapist's blood that is in me." Malcolm X later remembered feeling that his father favored him because he was the lightest-skinned child in the family; however, he thought his mother treated him harshly for the same reason. One of Malcolm's nicknames, "Red", derived from the tinge of his hair. According to one biographer, at birth he had "ash-blonde hair ... tinged with cinnamon", and at age four, "reddish-blonde hair". His hair darkened as he aged, yet he also resembled his paternal grandmother, whose hair "turned reddish in the summer sun." The issue of skin and hair color took on very significant implications later in Malcolm's life.

In December 1924, Louise Little was threatened by klansmen while she was pregnant with Malcolm. She recalled that the klansmen warned the family to leave Omaha, because Earl Little's activities with UNIA were "spreading trouble". After they moved to Lansing, their house was burned in 1929; however, the family escaped without physical injury. On September 8, 1931, Earl Little was fatally struck by a streetcar in Lansing. Authorities ruled his death an accident. The police reported that Earl Little was conscious when they arrived on the scene, and he told them he had slipped and fallen under the streetcar's wheels. The black community in Lansing disputed the cause of death, believing there was circumstantial evidence of assault. His family had frequently been harassed by the Black Legion, a white supremacist group that his father accused of burning down their home in 1929. Some blacks believed the Black Legion was responsible for Earl Little's death. One of the adults at the funeral told eight-year-old Philbert Little that his father had been hit from behind and shoved under the streetcar.

Though Earl Little had two life insurance policies, his family received death benefits solely from the smaller policy. The insurance company of the larger policy claimed that his father had committed suicide and refused to issue the benefit. The payout from the insurance policy was $1,000 (comparable to about $15,000 in 2010 dollars), and the probate court awarded Louise Little a monthly "widow's allowance" of $18. She rented space in the garden to raise more money, and her sons would hunt game for supper.

In 1935 or 1936, Louise Little began dating an African-American man. A marriage proposal seemed a possibility, but the man disappeared from their lives when Louise became pregnant with his child in late 1937. In December 1938, Louise Little had a nervous breakdown and was declared legally insane. The Little siblings were split up and sent to different foster homes. The state formally committed Louise Little to the state mental hospital at Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she remained until Malcolm and his siblings secured her release 24 years later.

Malcolm Little was one of the best students in his junior high school, but he dropped out after a white eighth-grade teacher told him that his aspirations of being a lawyer were "no realistic goal for a nigger." Years later, Malcolm X would laugh about the incident, but at the time it was humiliating. It made him feel that there was no place in the white world for a career-oriented black man, no matter how smart he was. After living with a series of white foster parents, Malcolm moved to Boston in February 1941 to live with his older half-sister, Ella Little Collins.

Young adult years

Collins lived in Roxbury, a predominantly African-American middle-class neighborhood of Boston. It was the first time Little had seen so many black people. He was drawn to the cultural and social life of the neighborhood. In Boston, Little held a variety of jobs and found intermittent employment with the New Haven Railroad. Between 1943 and 1946, he drifted from city to city and job to job. He left Boston to live for a short time in Flint, Michigan. He moved to New York City in 1943. Living in Harlem, he became involved in drug dealing, gambling, racketeering, robbery, and pimping. According to recent biographies, Little occasionally engaged in sex with other men, usually for money.

In 1943, the U.S. draft board ordered Little to register for military service. He later recalled that he put on a display to avoid the draft by telling the examining officer that he could not wait to "steal us some guns, and kill us [some] crackers." Military physicians classified him as "mentally disqualified for military service". He was issued a 4-F card, relieving him of his service obligations. In late 1945, Little returned to Boston. With a group of associates, he began a series of elaborate burglaries targeting the residences of wealthy white families. On January 12, 1946, Little was arrested for burglary while trying to pick up a stolen watch he had left for repairs at a jewelry shop. The shop owner called the police because the watch was very expensive, and the police had alerted all Boston jewelers that it had been stolen. Little told the police that he had a gun on his person and surrendered so the police would treat him more leniently. Three days later, Little was indicted for carrying firearms. On January 16, he was charged with larceny and breaking and entering, and eventually sentenced to eight to ten years in prison.

On February 27, Little began serving his sentence at the Charlestown State Prison in Charlestown, Boston. While in prison, Little earned the nickname of "Satan" for his hostility toward religion. Little met a self-educated man in prison named John Elton Bembry (referred to as "Bimbi" in ''The Autobiography of Malcolm X''). Bembry was a well-regarded prisoner at Charlestown, and Malcolm X would later describe him as "the first man I had ever seen command total respect ... with words." Gradually, the two men became friends and Bembry convinced Little to educate himself. Little developed a voracious appetite for reading, and he frequently read after the prison lights had been turned off. In 1948, Little's brother Philbert wrote, telling him about the Nation of Islam. Like the UNIA, the Nation preached black self-reliance and, ultimately, the unification of members of the African diaspora, free from white American and European domination. Little was not interested in joining until his brother Reginald wrote, saying, "Malcolm, don't eat any more pork and don't smoke any more cigarettes. I'll show you how to get out of prison." Little quit smoking, and the next time pork was served in the prison dining hall, he refused to eat it.

When Reginald came to visit Little, he described the group's teachings, including the belief that white people are devils. Afterward, Little thought about all the white people he had known, and he realized that he'd never had a relationship with a white person or social institution that wasn't based on dishonesty, injustice, greed, and hatred. Little began to reconsider his dismissal of all religion and he became receptive to the message of the Nation of Islam. Other family members who had joined the Nation wrote or visited and encouraged Little to join. In February 1948, mostly through his sister's efforts, Little was transferred to the Norfolk Prison Colony, an experimental prison in Norfolk, Massachusetts, that had a much larger library. In late 1948, he wrote a letter to Elijah Muhammad, the leader of the Nation of Islam. Muhammad advised him to atone for his crimes by renouncing his past and by humbly bowing in prayer to Allah and promising never to engage in destructive behavior again. Little, who always had been rebellious and deeply skeptical, found it very difficult to bow in prayer. It took him a week to bend his knees. Finally he prayed, and he became a member of the Nation of Islam. For the remainder of his incarceration, Little maintained regular correspondence with Muhammad. On August 7, 1952, Little was paroled and was released from prison. He later reflected on the time he spent in prison after his conversion: "Months passed without my even thinking about being imprisoned. In fact, up to then, I had never been so truly free in my life."

Nation of Islam

When Little was released from prison in 1952, he had more than a new religion. He also had a new name. In a December 1950 letter to his brother Philbert, Little signed his name as Malcolm X for the first time. In his autobiography, he explained why: "The Muslim's 'X' symbolized the true African family name that he never could know. For me, my 'X' replaced the white slavemaster name of 'Little' which some blue-eyed devil named Little had imposed upon my paternal forebears."

Shortly after his release from prison, Malcolm X visited Elijah Muhammad in Chicago, Illinois. In June 1953, Malcolm X was named assistant minister of the Nation of Islam's Temple Number One in Detroit. Soon, he became a full-time minister. By late 1953, Malcolm X established Boston's Temple Number 11. In March 1954, he expanded Temple Number 12 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Two months later Malcolm X was selected to lead Temple Number Seven in Harlem, and he rapidly expanded its membership.

The FBI had opened a file on Malcolm X in 1950 after he wrote a letter to President Truman stating his opposition to the Korean War and declaring himself to be a communist. It began surveillance of him in 1953, and soon the FBI turned its attention from concerns about possible Communist Party association to Malcolm X's rapid ascent in the Nation of Islam.

During 1955, Malcolm X continued his successful recruitment efforts on behalf of the organization. He established temples in Springfield, Massachusetts (Number 13); Hartford, Connecticut (Number 14); and Atlanta, Georgia (Number 15). Hundreds of African Americans were joining the Nation of Islam every month. Beside his skill as a speaker, Malcolm X had an impressive physical presence. He stood tall and weighed about . One writer described him as "powerfully built", and another as "mesmerizingly handsome ... and always spotlessly well-groomed".

Johnson Hinton incident

Malcolm X first came to the attention of the general public after the police beating of a Nation of Islam member named Johnson Hinton. On April 26, 1957, two police officers were beating an African-American man with their nightsticks when three passersby who belonged to the Nation of Islam tried to intervene. They shouted: "You're not in Alabama or Georgia. This is New York!" One of the officers began to beat one of the passersby, Johnson Hinton. The blows were so severe, a surgeon later determined, that they caused brain contusions, subdural hemorrhaging, and scalp lacerations. All four men were arrested and taken to the police station.

A woman who had seen the assault ran to the Nation of Islam's restaurant. Within a few hours, Malcolm X and a small group of Muslims went to the police station and demanded to see Hinton. The police captain initially said no Muslims were being held there, but as the crowd grew to about 500, he allowed Malcolm X to speak with Hinton. After a short talk, Malcolm X demanded that Hinton be taken to the hospital, so an ambulance was called and Hinton was taken to Harlem Hospital.

Hinton was treated and released into the custody of the police, who returned him to the police station. By this point, about 4,000 people had gathered; the police realized there was the potential for a riot and called for backup. Malcolm X went back into the police station with an attorney and made bail arrangements for the other two Muslims. The police said Hinton could not go back to the hospital until he was arraigned the following day. Malcolm X realized things were at a stalemate. He stepped outside the station house and gave a hand signal. The Nation of Islam members in the crowd silently walked away. The rest of the crowd dispersed minutes later. One police officer told the editor of the ''New York Amsterdam News'': "No one man should have that much power."

The following month, the Bureau of Special Services and Investigation of the New York Police Department (NYPD) began its surveillance of Malcolm X. The NYPD's Chief Inspector asked for information from the police department in every city where Malcolm X had lived, and from the prisons where he had served his sentence. In October, when a grand jury declined to indict the officers who had beaten Hinton, Malcolm X wrote an angry telegram to the police commissioner. In response, undercover NYPD officers were placed inside the Nation of Islam.

Marriage and family

Malcolm X met Betty Sanders in 1955. She had been invited to listen to his lecture, and she was very impressed by him. They met again at a dinner party. Soon Sanders was attending all of Malcolm X's lectures at Temple Number Seven. In mid 1956, she joined the Nation of Islam.

Malcolm X and Betty X did not have a conventional courtship. One-on-one dates were contrary to the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Instead, the couple shared their "dates" with dozens, or even hundreds of other members. Malcolm X frequently took groups to visit New York's museums and libraries, and he always invited Betty X.

Although they had never discussed the subject, Betty X suspected that Malcolm X was interested in marriage. On January 12, 1958, he called from Detroit and asked her to marry him, and they were married two days later in Lansing, Michigan.

The couple had six daughters. Their names were Attallah, born in 1958 and named after Attila the Hun; Qubilah, born in 1960 and named after Kublai Khan; Ilyasah, born in 1962 and named after Elijah Muhammad; Gamilah Lumumba, born in 1964 and named after Patrice Lumumba; and twins, Malikah and Malaak, born in 1965 after their father's assassination and named for him.

''The Hate That Hate Produced''

After a 1959 television broadcast in New York City about the Nation of Islam, ''The Hate That Hate Produced'', Malcolm X became known to white Americans. Representatives of the print media, radio, and television frequently asked him for comments on issues. By the late 1950s, Malcolm X had acquired a new name, Malcolm Shabazz or Malik el-Shabazz, although he was still widely referred to as Malcolm X.

In September 1960, Fidel Castro arrived in New York to attend the meeting of the United Nations General Assembly. He and his entourage stayed at the Hotel Theresa in Harlem. Malcolm X was a prominent member of a Harlem-based welcoming committee made up of community leaders who met with Castro. Castro was so impressed by Malcolm X that he requested a private meeting with him. At the end of their two-hour meeting, Castro invited Malcolm X to visit him in Cuba. During the General Assembly meeting, Malcolm X was also invited to many official embassy functions sponsored by African nations, where he met heads of state and other leaders, including Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, Ahmed Sékou Touré of Guinea, and Kenneth Kaunda of the Zambian African National Congress.

From his adoption of the Nation of Islam in 1952 until he left the organization in 1964, Malcolm X promoted the Nation's teachings. He taught that black people were the original people of the world, and that white people were a race of devils. In his speeches, Malcolm X said that black people were superior to white people, and that the demise of the white race was imminent. While the civil rights movement fought against racial segregation, Malcolm X advocated the complete separation of African Americans from white people. He proposed the establishment of a separate country for black people as an interim measure until African Americans could return to Africa. Malcolm X also rejected the civil rights movement's strategy of nonviolence, and instead advocated that black people use any necessary means of self-defense to protect themselves. Malcolm X's speeches had a powerful effect on his audiences, generally African Americans who lived in the Northern and Western cities, who were tired of being told to wait for freedom, justice, equality and respect. Many blacks felt that he articulated their complaints better than the civil rights movement did.

Many white people, and some blacks, were alarmed by Malcolm X and the things he said. He and the Nation of Islam were described as hatemongers, black supremacists, violence-seekers, and a threat to improved race relations. Civil rights organizations denounced Malcolm X and the Nation as irresponsible extremists whose views were not representative of African Americans. Malcolm X was accused of being antisemitic.

Malcolm X was equally critical of the civil rights movement. He described its leaders as "stooges" for the white establishment, and said that Martin Luther King, Jr. was a "chump". He criticized the 1963 March on Washington, which he called "the farce on Washington". He said he did not know why black people were excited over a demonstration "run by whites in front of a statue of a president who has been dead for a hundred years and who didn't like us when he was alive". Malcolm X has been widely considered the second most influential leader of the Nation of Islam after Elijah Muhammad. He was largely credited with increasing membership of the group; from 500 in 1952 to 25,000 in 1963 by one author's estimate, or from 1,200 in 1953 to 50,000 or 75,000 in 1961 by another's. He inspired the boxer Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) to join the Nation of Islam. Ali later left the group and became a Sunni Muslim, as did Malcolm X.

In early 1963, Malcolm X started collaborating with Alex Haley on ''The Autobiography of Malcolm X''. In 1964, he told Haley, "If I'm alive when this book comes out, it will be a miracle." The book was not finished when Malcolm X was assassinated in 1965. Haley completed it and published it later that year. In 1998, ''TIME'' named ''The Autobiography of Malcolm X'' one of the ten most influential nonfiction books of the 20th century.

Leaving the Nation

On December 1, 1963, when he was asked for a comment about the assassination of President Kennedy, Malcolm X said that it was a case of "chickens coming home to roost". He added that "chickens coming home to roost never did make me sad; they've always made me glad." ''The New York Times'' wrote, "in further criticism of Mr. Kennedy, the Muslim leader cited the murders of Patrice Lumumba, Congo leader, of Medgar Evers, civil rights leader, and of the Negro girls bombed earlier this year in a Birmingham church. These, he said, were instances of other 'chickens coming home to roost'." The remarks prompted a widespread public outcry. The Nation of Islam, which had issued a message of condolence to the Kennedy family and ordered its ministers not to comment on the assassination, publicly censured their former shining star. Although Malcolm X retained his post and rank as minister, he was prohibited from public speaking for 90 days.

On March 8, 1964, Malcolm X publicly announced his break from the Nation of Islam. He said that he was still a Muslim, but he felt the Nation of Islam had "gone as far as it can" because of its rigid religious teachings. Malcolm X said he was going to organize a black nationalist organization that would try to "heighten the political consciousness" of African Americans. He also expressed his desire to work with other civil rights leaders and said that Elijah Muhammad had prevented him from doing so in the past.

One reason for the separation was growing tension between Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad because of Malcolm X's dismay about rumors of Muhammad's extramarital affairs with young secretaries, actions that were against the teachings of the Nation. Although at first Malcolm X had ignored the rumors, after speaking with Muhammad's son Wallace and the women making the accusations, he came to believe that they were true. Muhammad confirmed the rumors in 1963 but tried to justify his actions by reference to precedents set by Biblical prophets. Another reason for the separation was growing resentment by people within the Nation. As Malcolm X had become a favorite of the media, many in the Nation's Chicago headquarters felt that he was over-shadowing Muhammad. Louis Lomax's 1963 book about the Nation of Islam, ''When the Word Is Given'', featured a picture of Malcolm X on its cover and included five of his speeches, but only one of Muhammad's, which greatly upset Muhammad. Muhammad was also envious that a publisher was interested in Malcolm X's autobiography. After leaving the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X founded Muslim Mosque, Inc., a religious organization, and the Organization of Afro-American Unity, a secular group that advocated Pan-Africanism. On March 26, 1964, he met Martin Luther King, Jr. in Washington, D.C., after a press conference held when both men attended the Senate to hear the debate on the Civil Rights bill. This was the only time the two men ever met and their meeting lasted only one minute—just long enough for photographers to take a picture. In April, Malcolm X made a speech titled "The Ballot or the Bullet" in which he advised African Americans to exercise their right to vote wisely. Several Sunni Muslims encouraged Malcolm X to learn about Islam. Soon he converted to Sunni Islam, and decided to make his pilgrimage to Mecca (''hajj'').

International travel

Pilgrimage to Mecca

On April 13, 1964, Malcolm X departed JFK Airport in New York for Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. His status as an authentic Muslim was questioned by Saudi authorities because of his United States passport and his inability to speak Arabic. Since only confessing Muslims are allowed into Mecca, he was separated from his group for about 20 hours.

According to his autobiography, Malcolm X saw a telephone and remembered the book ''The Eternal Message of Muhammad'' by Abdul Rahman Hassan Azzam, which had been presented to him with his visa approval. He called Azzam's son, who arranged for his release. At the younger Azzam's home, he met Azzam Pasha, who gave Malcolm his suite at the Jeddah Palace Hotel. The next morning, Muhammad Faisal, the son of Prince Faisal, visited and informed Malcolm X that he was to be a state guest. The deputy chief of protocol accompanied Malcolm X to the Hajj Court, where he was allowed to make his pilgrimage.

On April 19, Malcolm X completed the Hajj, making the seven circuits around the Kaaba, drinking from the Zamzam Well, and running between the hills of Safah and Marwah seven times. After completing the Hajj, he was granted an audience with Prince Faisal. Malcolm X said the trip allowed him to see Muslims of different races interacting as equals. He came to believe that Islam could be the means by which racial problems could be overcome.

Africa

Malcolm X visited Africa on three separate occasions, once in 1959 and twice in 1964. During his visits, he met officials, gave interviews to newspapers, and spoke on television and radio in Egypt, Ethiopia, Tanganyika (now Tanzania), Nigeria, Ghana, Guinea, Sudan, Senegal, Liberia, Algeria, and Morocco. Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, Gamal Abdel Nasser of Egypt, and Ahmed Ben Bella of Algeria invited Malcolm X to serve in their governments.

In 1959, Malcolm X traveled to Egypt (then known as the United Arab Republic), Sudan, Nigeria, and Ghana to arrange a tour for Elijah Muhammad. The first of the two trips Malcolm X made to Africa in 1964 lasted from April 13 until May 21, before and after his Hajj. On May 8, following his speech at the University of Ibadan, Malcolm X was made an honorary member of the Nigerian Muslim Students' Association. During this reception the students bestowed upon him the name "Omowale", which means "the son who has come home" in the Yoruba language. Malcolm X wrote in his autobiography that he "had never received a more treasured honor."

On July 9, 1964, Malcolm X returned to Africa. On July 17, he was welcomed to the second meeting of the Organization of African Unity in Cairo as a representative of the Organization of Afro-American Unity. By the time he returned to the United States on November 24, 1964, Malcolm had met with every prominent African leader and established an international connection between Africans on the continent and those in the diaspora.

France and the United Kingdom

On November 23, 1964, on his way home from Africa, Malcolm X stopped in Paris, where he spoke at the Salle de la Mutualité. A week later, on November 30, Malcolm X flew to the United Kingdom, and on December 3 participated in a debate at the Oxford Union. The topic of the debate was "Extremism in the Defense of Liberty is No Vice; Moderation in the Pursuit of Justice is No Virtue", and Malcolm X argued the affirmative. Interest in the debate was so high that it was televised nationally by the BBC.

On February 5, 1965, Malcolm X went to Europe again. On February 8, he spoke in London, before the first meeting of the Council of African Organizations. The next day, Malcolm X tried to go to France, but he was refused entry. On February 12, he visited Smethwick, near Birmingham, which had become a byword for racial division after the 1964 general election, when the Conservative Party won the parliamentary seat after rumors that their candidate's supporters had used the slogan "If you want a nigger for your neighbour, vote Labour."

In the United States

After leaving the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X spoke before a wide variety of audiences in the United States. He spoke at regular meetings of Muslim Mosque, Inc., and the Organization of Afro-American Unity. He was one of the most sought-after speakers on college campuses, and one of his top aides later wrote that he "welcomed every opportunity to speak to college students." Malcolm X also spoke before political groups such as the Militant Labor Forum.

Tensions increased between Malcolm X and the Nation of Islam. As early as February 1964, a member of Temple Number Seven was given orders by the group to wire explosives to Malcolm X's car. In September 1964, ''Ebony'' published a photograph of Malcolm X holding an M1 Carbine and peering out a window. The photo was intended to illustrate his determination to defend himself and his family against the death threats he was receiving.

The Nation of Islam and its leaders began making both public and private threats against Malcolm X. On March 23, 1964, Elijah Muhammad told Boston minister Louis X (later known as Louis Farrakhan) that "hypocrites like Malcolm should have their heads cut off." The April 10 edition of ''Muhammad Speaks'' featured a cartoon in which his severed head was shown bouncing. On July 9, John Ali, a top aide to Muhammad, answered a question about Malcolm X by saying that "anyone who opposes the Honorable Elijah Muhammad puts their life in jeopardy." The December 4 issue of ''Muhammad Speaks'' included an article by Louis X that railed against Malcolm X, saying "such a man as Malcolm is worthy of death."

Some threats were made anonymously. During the month of June 1964, FBI surveillance recorded two such threats. On June 8, a man called Malcolm X's home and told Betty Shabazz to "tell him he's as good as dead." On June 12, an FBI informant reported getting an anonymous telephone call from somebody who said "Malcolm X is going to be bumped off."

In June 1964, the Nation of Islam sued to reclaim Malcolm X's residence in Queens, New York, which they claimed to own. The suit was successful, and Malcolm X was ordered to vacate. On February 14, 1965, the night before a scheduled hearing to postpone the eviction date, the house burned to the ground. Malcolm X and his family survived. No one was charged with any crime.

Assassination

On February 21, 1965, in Manhattan's Audubon Ballroom, Malcolm X began to speak to a meeting of the Organization of Afro-American Unity when a disturbance broke out in the crowd of 400. A man yelled, "Nigger! Get your hand outta my pocket!" As Malcolm X and his bodyguards moved to quiet the disturbance, a man rushed forward and shot him in the chest with a sawed-off shotgun. Two other men charged the stage and fired handguns, hitting him 16 times. Furious onlookers caught and beat one of the assassins as the others fled the ballroom. Malcolm X was pronounced dead at 3:30 pm, shortly after he arrived at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

Talmadge Hayer, a Nation of Islam member also known as Thomas Hagan, was arrested on the scene. Eyewitnesses identified two more suspects, Norman 3X Butler and Thomas 15X Johnson, also members of the Nation. All three were charged. At first Hayer denied involvement, but during the trial he confessed to having fired shots at Malcolm X. He testified that Butler and Johnson were not present and were not involved in the assassination, but he declined to name the men who had joined him in the shooting. All three men were convicted.

Butler, now known as Muhammad Abdul Aziz, was paroled in 1985. He became the head of the Nation of Islam's Harlem mosque in 1998. He continues to maintain his innocence. Johnson, who changed his name to Khalil Islam, was released from prison in 1987. During his time in prison, he rejected the teachings of the Nation of Islam and converted to Sunni Islam. He maintained his innocence until his death in August 2009. Hayer, now known as Mujahid Halim, was paroled in 2010.

Funeral

A public viewing was held at Harlem's ''Unity Funeral Home'' from February 23 through February 26, and it was estimated that between 14,000 and 30,000 mourners attended. The funeral was held on February 27 at the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ in Harlem. The church was filled to capacity with more than 1,000 people. Loudspeakers were set up outside the Temple so the overflowing crowd could listen and a local television station broadcast the funeral live.

Among the civil rights leaders attending were John Lewis, Bayard Rustin, James Forman, James Farmer, Jesse Gray, and Andrew Young. Actor and activist Ossie Davis delivered the eulogy, describing Malcolm X as "our shining black prince".

There are those who will consider it their duty, as friends of the Negro people, to tell us to revile him, to flee, even from the presence of his memory, to save ourselves by writing him out of the history of our turbulent times. Many will ask what Harlem finds to honor in this stormy, controversial and bold young captain—and we will smile. Many will say turn away—away from this man, for he is not a man but a demon, a monster, a subverter and an enemy of the black man—and we will smile. They will say that he is of hate—a fanatic, a racist—who can only bring evil to the cause for which you struggle! And we will answer and say to them: Did you ever talk to Brother Malcolm? Did you ever touch him, or have him smile at you? Did you ever really listen to him? Did he ever do a mean thing? Was he ever himself associated with violence or any public disturbance? For if you did you would know him. And if you knew him you would know why we must honor him.

Malcolm X was buried at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. At the gravesite after the ceremony, friends took the shovels from the waiting gravediggers and completed the burial themselves. Actor and activist Ruby Dee (wife of Ossie Davis) and Juanita Poitier (wife of Sidney Poitier) established the Committee of Concerned Mothers to raise funds to buy a house and pay educational expenses for Malcolm X's family.

Responses to assassination

Reactions to Malcolm X's assassination were varied. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sent a telegram to Betty Shabazz, expressing his sadness over "the shocking and tragic assassination of your husband."

While we did not always see eye to eye on methods to solve the race problem, I always had a deep affection for Malcolm and felt that he had a great ability to put his finger on the existence and root of the problem. He was an eloquent spokesman for his point of view and no one can honestly doubt that Malcolm had a great concern for the problems that we face as a race.

Elijah Muhammad told the annual Savior's Day convention on February 26, "Malcolm X got just what he preached." "We didn't want to kill Malcolm and didn't try to kill him," Muhammad said. "We know such ignorant, foolish teachings would bring him to his own end."

''The New York Times'' wrote that Malcolm X was "an extraordinary and twisted man" who "turn[ed] many true gifts to evil purpose" and that his life was "strangely and pitifully wasted". The ''New York Post'' wrote that "even his sharpest critics recognized his brilliance—often wild, unpredictable and eccentric, but nevertheless possessing promise that must now remain unrealized."

The international press, particularly that of Africa, was sympathetic. The ''Daily Times of Nigeria'' wrote that Malcolm X "will have a place in the palace of martyrs." The ''Ghanaian Times'' likened him to John Brown and Patrice Lumumba among "a host of Africans and Americans who were martyred in freedom's cause". ''Guangming Daily'', published in Beijing, stated that "Malcolm was murdered because he fought for freedom and equal rights", while in Cuba, ''El Mundo'' described the assassination as "another racist crime to eradicate by violence the struggle against discrimination".

Allegations of conspiracy

Within days of the assassination, questions were raised about who bore ultimate responsibility. On February 23, James Farmer, the leader of the Congress of Racial Equality, announced at a news conference that local drug dealers, and not the Nation of Islam, were to blame. Others accused the NYPD, the FBI, or the CIA, citing the lack of police protection, the ease with which the assassins entered the Audubon Ballroom, and the failure of the police to preserve the crime scene.

In the 1970s, the public learned about COINTELPRO and other secret FBI programs directed towards infiltrating and disrupting civil rights organizations during the 1950s and 1960s. John Ali, national secretary of the Nation of Islam, was identified as an FBI undercover agent. Malcolm X had confided in a reporter that Ali exacerbated tensions between him and Elijah Muhammad. He considered Ali his "archenemy" within the Nation of Islam leadership. On February 20, 1965, the night before the assassination, Ali met with Talmadge Hayer, one of the men convicted of killing Malcolm X.

In 1977 and 1978, Talmadge Hayer submitted two sworn affidavits re-asserting his claim that Butler and Johnson were not involved in the assassination. In his affidavits Hayer named four men, all members of the Nation of Islam's Newark Temple Number 25, as having participated with him in the crime. Hayer asserted that a man, later identified as Wilbur McKinley, shouted and threw a smoke bomb to create a diversion. Hayer said that another man, later identified as William Bradley, had a shotgun and was the first to fire on Malcolm X after the diversion. Hayer asserted that he and a man later identified as Leon Davis, both armed with pistols, fired on Malcolm X immediately after the shotgun blast. Hayer also said that a fifth man, later identified as Benjamin Thomas, was involved in the conspiracy. Hayer's statements failed to convince authorities to reopen their investigation of the murder.

Some, including the Shabazz family, have accused Louis Farrakhan of being involved in the plot to assassinate Malcolm X. In a 1993 speech, Farrakhan seemed to boast of the assassination:

Was Malcolm your traitor or ours? And if we dealt with him like a nation deals with a traitor, what the ''hell'' business is it of yours? A nation has to be able to deal with traitors and cutthroats and turncoats.

In a ''60 Minutes'' interview that aired during May 2000, Farrakhan stated that some of the things he said may have led to the assassination of Malcolm X. "I may have been complicit in words that I spoke", he said. "I acknowledge that and regret that any word that I have said caused the loss of life of a human being." A few days later Farrakhan denied that he "ordered the assassination" of Malcolm X, although he again acknowledged that he "created the atmosphere that ultimately led to Malcolm X's assassination." No consensus on who was responsible has been reached.

Philosophy

Except for his autobiography, Malcolm X left no published writings. His philosophy is known almost entirely from the myriad speeches and interviews he gave from 1952 until his death in 1965. Many of those speeches, especially from the last year of his life, were recorded and have been published.

Beliefs of the Nation of Islam

Before he left the Nation of Islam in 1964, Malcolm X taught its beliefs in his speeches. His speeches were peppered with the phrase "The Honorable Elijah Muhammad teaches us that...". It is virtually impossible to discern whether Malcolm X's beliefs diverged from the teachings of the Nation of Islam. Malcolm X once compared himself to a ventriloquist's dummy who could only say what Elijah Muhammad told him.

Malcolm X taught that black people were the original people of the world, and that white people were a race of devils who were created by an evil scientist named Yakub. The Nation of Islam believed that black people were superior to white people, and that the demise of the white race was imminent. When he was questioned concerning his statements that white people were devils, Malcolm X said that "history proves the white man is a devil." He enumerated some of the historical reasons that, he felt, supported his argument: "Anybody who rapes, and plunders, and enslaves, and steals, and drops hell bombs on people... anybody who does these things is nothing but a devil."

Malcolm X said that Islam was the "true religion of black mankind" and that Christianity was "the white man's religion" that had been imposed upon African Americans by their slave-masters. He said that the Nation of Islam followed Islam as it was practiced around the world, but the Nation's teachings varied from those of other Muslims because they were adapted to the "uniquely pitiful" condition of black people in America. He taught that Wallace Fard Muhammad, the founder of the Nation, was Allah incarnate, and that Elijah Muhammad was his Messenger, or prophet.

While the civil rights movement fought against racial segregation, Malcolm X advocated the complete separation of African Americans from white people. The Nation of Islam proposed the establishment of a separate country for black people in the Southern or Southwestern United States as an interim measure until African Americans could return to Africa. Malcolm X suggested the United States government owed reparations to black people for the unpaid labor of their enslaved ancestors. He also rejected the civil rights movement's strategy of nonviolence and instead advocated that black people should protect themselves by any necessary means.

Independent views

After leaving the Nation of Islam, Malcolm X announced his willingness to work with leaders of the civil rights movement, though he felt that it should change its focus to human rights. So long as the movement remained a fight for ''civil rights'', its struggle would remain a domestic issue, but by framing the struggle as a fight for ''human rights'', it would become an international issue, and the movement could bring its complaint before the United Nations. Malcolm X said the emerging nations of the world would add their support to the cause of African Americans.

Malcolm X declared that he and the other members of the Organization of Afro-American Unity were determined to defend themselves from aggressors, and to secure freedom, justice and equality "by whatever means necessary", arguing that if the government was unwilling or unable to protect black people, they should protect themselves.

Malcolm X stressed the global perspective he gained from his international travels. He emphasized the "direct connection" between the domestic struggle of African Americans for equal rights with the liberation struggles of Third World nations. He said that African Americans were wrong when they thought of themselves as a minority; in a global context, black people were a majority, not a minority.

In his speeches at the Militant Labor Forum, which was sponsored by the Socialist Workers Party, Malcolm X criticized capitalism. After one such speech, when he was asked what political and economic system he wanted, he said he didn't know, but that it was no coincidence the newly liberated countries in the Third World were turning toward socialism. Malcolm X still was concerned primarily with the freedom struggle of African Americans. When a reporter asked him what he thought about socialism, Malcolm X asked whether it was good for black people. When the reporter told him it seemed to be, Malcolm X told him, "Then I'm for it."

Although he no longer called for the separation of black people from white people, Malcolm X continued to advocate black nationalism, which he defined as self-determination for the African-American community. In the last months of his life, however, Malcolm X began to reconsider his support of black nationalism after meeting northern African revolutionaries who, to all appearances, were white.

After his Hajj, Malcolm X articulated a view of white people and racism that represented a deep change from the philosophy he had supported as a minister of the Nation of Islam. In a famous letter from Mecca, he wrote that his experiences with white people during his pilgrimage convinced him to "rearrange" his thinking about race and "toss aside some of [his] previous conclusions". In a 1965 conversation with Gordon Parks, two days before his assassination, Malcolm said:

[L]istening to leaders like Nasser, Ben Bella, and Nkrumah awakened me to the dangers of racism. I realized racism isn't just a black and white problem. It's brought bloodbaths to about every nation on earth at one time or another.

Brother, remember the time that white college girl came into the restaurant—the one who wanted to help the [Black] Muslims and the whites get together—and I told her there wasn't a ghost of a chance and she went away crying? Well, I've lived to regret that incident. In many parts of the African continent I saw white students helping black people. Something like this kills a lot of argument. I did many things as a [Black] Muslim that I'm sorry for now. I was a zombie then—like all [Black] Muslims—I was hypnotized, pointed in a certain direction and told to march. Well, I guess a man's entitled to make a fool of himself if he's ready to pay the cost. It cost me 12 years.

That was a bad scene, brother. The sickness and madness of those days—I'm glad to be free of them.

Legacy

Malcolm X has been described as one of the greatest and most influential African Americans in history. He is credited with raising the self-esteem of black Americans and reconnecting them with their African heritage. He is largely responsible for the spread of Islam in the black community in the United States. Many African Americans, especially those who lived in cities in the Northern and Western United States, felt that Malcolm X articulated their complaints concerning inequality better than the mainstream civil rights movement did. One biographer says that by giving expression to their frustration, Malcolm X "made clear the price that white America would have to pay if it did not accede to black America's legitimate demands."

In the late 1960s, as black activists became more radical, Malcolm X and his teachings were part of the foundation on which they built their movements. The Black Power movement, the Black Arts Movement, and the widespread adoption of the slogan "Black is beautiful" can all trace their roots to Malcolm X.

During the late 1980s and early 1990s, there was a resurgence of interest in Malcolm X among young people fueled, in part, by his use as an icon by hip hop groups such as Public Enemy. Images of Malcolm X could be found on T-shirts and jackets. Pictures of him were on display in hundreds of thousands of homes, offices, and schools. This wave peaked in 1992 with the release of ''Malcolm X'', a much-anticipated film adaptation of ''The Autobiography of Malcolm X''.

Portrayals in film and on stage

The 1992 film ''Malcolm X'' was directed by Spike Lee and based on ''The Autobiography of Malcolm X''. It starred Denzel Washington, with Angela Bassett as Betty Shabazz and Al Freeman, Jr., as Elijah Muhammad. Critic Roger Ebert and director Martin Scorsese both named the film one of the ten best of the 1990s. Washington had previously played the part of Malcolm X in the 1981 Off Broadway play ''When the Chickens Came Home to Roost''. Other actors who have portrayed Malcolm X include: James Earl Jones, in the 1977 film ''The Greatest''. Dick Anthony Williams, in the 1978 television miniseries ''King'' and the 1989 ''American Playhouse'' production of the Jeff Stetson play ''The Meeting''. Al Freeman, Jr., in the 1979 television miniseries ''Roots: The Next Generations''. Morgan Freeman, in the 1981 television movie ''Death of a Prophet''. Ben Holt, in the 1986 opera ''X, The Life and Times of Malcolm X'' at the New York City Opera. Gary Dourdan, in the 2000 television movie ''King of the World''. Joe Morton, in the 2000 television movie ''Ali: An American Hero''. Mario Van Peebles, in the 2001 film ''Ali''.

Memorials and tributes

The Malcolm X House Site, at 3448 Pinkney Street in North Omaha, Nebraska, marks the place where Malcolm Little first lived with his family. The house where the Little family lived was torn down in 1965 by owners who did not know of its connection with Malcolm X. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and a historic marker identifies the site because of the importance of Malcolm X to American history and national culture. In 1987 the site was added to the Nebraska register of historic sites and marked with a state plaque.

Lansing, Michigan, where Malcolm Little spent his early, formative years, is home to a Michigan Historical Marker erected in 1975 marking his homesite. The city is also home to El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz Academy, a public charter school with an Afrocentric focus. The Academy is located in the building where Little attended elementary school.

In cities around the world, Malcolm X's birthday (May 19) is commemorated as Malcolm X Day. The first known celebration of Malcolm X Day took place in Washington, D.C., in 1971. The city of Berkeley, California, has recognized Malcolm X's birthday as a citywide holiday since 1979.

Many cities have renamed streets after Malcolm X; in 1987, New York mayor Ed Koch proclaimed Lenox Avenue in Harlem to be Malcolm X Boulevard. The name of Reid Avenue in Brooklyn, New York, was changed to Malcolm X Boulevard in 1985. In 1997, Oakland Avenue in Dallas, Texas, was renamed Malcolm X Boulevard. Main Street in Lansing, Michigan, was renamed Malcolm X Street in 2010.

There have been dozens of schools named after Malcolm X, including Malcolm X Shabazz High School in Newark, New Jersey, Malcolm Shabazz City High School in Madison, Wisconsin, and Malcolm X College in Chicago, Illinois. Meanwhile, the Malcolm X Library and Performing Arts Center of the San Diego Public Library system opened in 1996. It is the first library named after Malcolm X.

The U.S. Postal Service issued a Malcolm X postage stamp in 1999. In 2005, Columbia University announced the opening of the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center. The memorial is located in the Audubon Ballroom, where Malcolm X was assassinated.

Published works

''The Autobiography of Malcolm X''. With the assistance of Alex Haley. New York: Grove Press, 1965. . ''Malcolm X Speaks: Selected Speeches and Statements''. George Breitman, ed. New York: Merit Publishers, 1965. . ''Malcolm X Talks to Young People''. New York: Young Socialist Alliance, 1965. . ''Two Speeches by Malcolm X''. New York: Pathfinder Press, 1965. . ''Malcolm X on Afro-American History''. New York: Merit Publishers, 1967. . ''The Speeches of Malcolm X at Harvard''. Archie Epps, ed. New York: Morrow, 1968. . ''By Any Means Necessary: Speeches, Interviews, and a Letter by Malcolm X''. George Breitman, ed. New York: Pathfinder Press, 1970. . ''The End of White World Supremacy: Four Speeches by Malcolm X''. Benjamin Karim, ed. New York: Monthly Review Press, 1971. .

''The Last Speeches''. Bruce Perry, ed. New York: Pathfinder Press, 1989. ISBN 978-0-87348-543-2.

''Malcolm X Talks to Young People: Speeches in the United States, Britain, and Africa''. Steve Clark, ed. New York: Pathfinder Press, 1991. ISBN 978-0-87348-962-1.

''February 1965: The Final Speeches''. Steve Clark, ed. New York: Pathfinder Press, 1992. ISBN 978-0-87348-749-8.

References

Footnotes

Works cited

Further reading

External links

;Interviews

;Speeches

;Other links

Category:1925 births Category:1965 deaths Category:20th-century African-American activists Category:African American Muslims Category:African American religious leaders Category:African American life in Omaha, Nebraska Category:African Americans' rights activists Category:American autobiographers Category:American burglars Category:American people of Grenadian descent Category:American people of Scottish descent Category:American Sunni Muslims Category:Assassinated American civil rights activists Category:Assassinated religious leaders Category:Black supremacy Category:Burials at Ferncliff Cemetery Category:COINTELPRO targets Category:Converts to Islam from Protestantism Category:Deaths by firearm in New York Category:Deaths onstage Category:Former Nation of Islam members Category:Murdered African-American people Category:Muslim activists Category:Pan-Africanism Category:People from Boston, Massachusetts Category:People from Lansing, Michigan Category:People from North Omaha, Nebraska Category:People from Omaha, Nebraska Category:People from Queens Category:People murdered in New York Category:Racism in the United States

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