Hip-hop artist F. Stokes, aka Rodney Lucas, aims to shrink the achievement gap — with rap. His new Kickstarter campaign introduces the world to “Rappin’ Ricky,” an animated character intended to be a classroom ally to disadvantaged youth.
Lucas had a bird’s-eye view of the struggles that keep children of color from achieving academically. His school years at Randall Elementary, Wright Middle School and West High were interrupted by an all-too-familiar checklist of challenges: homelessness, father doing time, poverty, hunger.
Speaking from his current home of Oakland, Calif., Lucas says he feels fortunate to have had some excellent teachers. “In fact, I wanted to be a teacher at one point in life. But as great as those educators were, seeing my best friends killed and father imprisoned completely fucked me up as a child.”
“Rappin’ Ricky” will be a for-profit endeavor, with a marketing strategy that includes product giveaways in selected low-income neighborhoods. Ricky will be the main character in Lucas’ first audio e-book, which is in its final production stages. Kickstarter dollars will provide source funding to build the music catalogue and create animated webisodes and supportive merchandise. Lucas steers clear of the word “curriculum” when describing what one will find in the Rappin’ Ricky toolbox. Still, Ricky will definitely touch some traditional curricular bases, from the ABCs to healthy eating and personal hygiene.
To launch the effort, Lucas has surrounded himself with some sterling, like-minded talent. Rappin’ Ricky’s illustrator will be Theodore Taylor, best known for his most recent work on Shaquille O’Neal’s children’s books. Lucas also enlisted help from web designers and Madison residents Jim Remsik and his wife, Jen, who run the YWeb Career Academy located in the YWCA Empowerment Center in Fitchburg.
Those who know F. Stokes’ work know that themes of empowerment and hope drive much of his own rap.
As of June 24, Lucas' Kickstarter has raised over $23,000 toward his $25,000 goal, with an end date of July 1. Even if the Kickstarter turns out to be a no-starter, Lucas says he won’t give up: “I’m a scrappy kid from the ghetto, so it’s difficult for me to ever truly lose at something. Even when I lose, I win, because the message still gets out there.”
UPDATE: This article was amended after Lucas received an anonymous Kickstarter pledge for $15,000.