LINCOLN SQUARE — Sporting Adidas jackets, high-top sneakers and Islamic head dress, the British-based female duo Poetic Pilgrimage challenge stereotypes of both Muslims and hip-hop artists.
Muneera Rashida and Sukina Abdul Noor, performing as Poetic Pilgrimage since 2002, will participate in a series of events and concerts at the Old Town School of Folk Music May 22-27 as part of the "Building Bridges Artist Residency."
According to their website, the duo were born to Jamaican parents and have been performing for over 10 years fusing "their love of hip hop with their Caribbean roots intertwined with their love of jazz, world music, electro soul and more." They have performed across the United Kingdom, United States and South Africa.
The two grew up in Bristol, England, met in high school and converted to Islam in 2005 after reading "The Autobigraphy of Malcolm X" in college, according to a Huffington Post profile.
Highlights of the residency include:
Hip Hop and Islam, 7 p.m., May 22: A discussion and short performance related to the legacy and influence of Malcolm X. The event is free, but reservations are required.
Hip-Hop Songbuilding Workshop, 2:30 p.m., May 24: Learn how the duo craft their songs, which incorporate elements of jazz and world music and fuse hip-hop with the Caribbean sounds of their parents' Jamaican roots. Cost is $5 and registration is required.
Concert with special guest Sidewalk Chalk, 8:30 p.m., May 27: Poetic Pilgrimage will take to the stage in Maurer Hall. Chicago's own Sidewalk Chalk will also perform. Click here to reserve tickets.
The complete schedule for Poetic Pilgrimage's residency is available online.
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