California, meet your newest diplomatic envoy: DJ Skee, Hip-Hop Ambassador for Arnold Schwarzenegger's After-School All Stars program.
ASUS named the 26-year-old Southern California musician this week as a representative between the hip-hop community and After-School All Stars, which offers training in fields like dance and music as alternatives to gang activity. Skee joins celebs like Kobe Bryant in advocating for the program.
No stranger to innovative programs, DJ Skee is preparing for an extravagant performance in April called "Skeetox," said to feature a live band, light wall, and surprise guests. Some proceeds from the event will be donated to ASUS.
In a statement, Skee explained his excitement about the ambassadorship: "Hip-hop originates from the communities that these students come from … and to teach them the positive aspects of the industry; that actual careers exist within the industry; that lead industry figures are devoted to giving back to the community…it gives them the type of exposure needed to take the hip-hop culture on a positive path. These kids are the future of hip-hop."
But as the sun rises on Skee's career, it's setting on Schwarzenegger's. A recent poll shows him to be the most unpopular governor in California history, exceeding even Gray Davis' disapproval ratings. Maybe there's a song in that.
