Debut Music Video! WAR & PIECE: WISE’S GAMBIT

Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to work with the wonderful organisation Words, Beats, & Life on their original Hip-Hop Chess Tournament Bum Rush the Boards. WBL is an organization in Washington DC that runs various programmes for young people – from MCing to Photography – and they established Bum Rush the Boards to highlight the connection between the strategies of Chess and Life. I came onboard for the 2nd annual competition when I was asked to write a song about chess.  

I once jotted down two lines for a song without any idea what to do with them. The lines were: “It was quite the strangest sight ever seen / one Knight, he tried to mate with the Queen!”. Many moons later I was sitting at my computer and my man Nick (Community League President, amongst other things) popped up on Gchat:

“Can you write me a song about chess?”
“Sure, what for? When do you need it?”
“asap”
“er…ok”

It was time to water the seed that had been planeted and grow the two lines into a song.

I retreated to a secluded courtyard where I battled my sister. I reflected on the many bouts with my sparring partner Susie, getting whipped by my cousin, being defeated in the League by Special Opps and scores of trans-Atlantic games with Cheddar Ted

I returned to The Shire with an epic story of Kings, Queens and Castles. I put the finishing touches to the song in Cat’s Lair whilst Thundercat spent the afternoon creating the perfect beat. We came to a sticking point and had the inspiration to fuse the two beats we’d been working on together, and the beat was completed as I penned my last word.

The rhymes had split and divided into 64 lines, one for each square, and by sundown “War & Piece: Wise’s Gambit” was born.

The guys at the journal loved the song and rather than just having it on the mixtape they decided to make it the official song of the event. Not only that but they set about making a video…the youngsters in the Academy came up with this masterpiece and I absolutely LOVE it!

From a spark of inspiration manifested in rhyme, through a golden opportunity taken, the song has travelled all around the world and, in turn, it has sparked creativity in other minds.

Words, Beats and Life’s fourth annual chess tournament was bigger than ever this year, with more than 165 competing and around 120 taking part in the various workshops.  The event was free for all and there was even a cookout with veggie and non-beef options.

You can read about the event at Across the Fader , you will need to sign up to join the site but it is well worth it. I am not the only musician involved now that the project has grown – this year there is a full Bum Rush the Boards Soundtrack to accompany the event and it has been getting regular spin in my house. Across the Fader  is currently hosting the live stream and download along so visit the site to check out the single “Clock’s Ticking” featuring Raheem Devaughn, Yu, Laelo Hood, Oddisee, Tabi Bonney, Grizz and Drauss.  Bumrush the Boards Official Event Mixtape, (Produced / Compiled / Arramged & Mixed by: DJ R.B.I.) is a compilation of DC’s Hottest MC’s and vocalists. Special guests include: DJ Heat (WPGC-FM 95.5), MC Lyte, & Raheem Devaughn.

If you are unable to sign up to Across the Fader you can download the Soundtrack here!

Please leave comments and let us know how you feel about the video, enjoy the mixtape and spread the word – each one teach one! Most importantly – play chess everyday!

- Wise

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