Fayetteville journalist, activist Keem Jones: Telling our stories

Music has been a part of my life as far back as I can remember.

As a child, I was scared of the dark, and my mom gave me a cassette player. I learned all the lyrics to the only tape I had, so each night I rapped myself to sleep. My cousin Dee had more tapes, and I learned many song lyrics.

Artists are like journalists; listening to music gave me life lessons, “game” and social context. I turned to music to learn from and cope with everything, including death, clothing styles, different lingo and dance styles.

Journalism is storytelling, and musicians are storytellers with beat and rhythm. The biggest difference is the rhythm and cadence in how they're put together.

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Yet, both educate and entertain. Both are considered artists; I educate and empower in my writing, just like J. Cole does in his music. I can find music for whatever mood I am in.

As a journalist, I aim to educate and empower by telling stories in a unique way that everyone, regardless of socio-economic status, can understand.

Hustle works in music industry and journalism

In the music world, I operated in the background as a member of Moet City with my family, including my cousin Kutta. Although I remained behind the scenes, I was actively present. We seized every opportunity to promote ourselves. Working tirelessly, we aimed to establish a name for ourselves, an experience that ultimately prepared me for my journey into journalism.

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By establishing connections and adhering to a strong work ethic, I encountered many individuals in the industry. As I write articles and capture moments through photography, I continue to hustle, relying on the same determination I developed in the music world.

The late-night hustle of those music days has adequately prepared me for the life I lead now. J. Cole making it big made us feel like we could all make it, pushing our drive for success. Attention grew in Fayetteville and things changed for so many artists.

Unexpected turn at Trump rally

During this time Kutt got locked up and I spent more time with Ronnie C. I was a fan of his music, having known him for a while due to us growing up in the same area. Ronnie invited me to a Trump rally, anticipating a significant experience. However, through no fault of my own, I was struck while being escorted out.

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Despite the unexpected turn, attending the Trump rally was initially a motivational experience, fueled by the recognition of Trump's financial success and accomplishments.

I did not realize how big it would be until The Washington Post reached out.

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This further highlighted the incident and emphasized the influential power of journalism. Many notable figures spoke out about the incident, including Chris Brown, President Barack Obama, Miley Cyrus, and Hillary Clinton.

One memorable moment was seeing Philadelphia rapper Cassidy’s freestyle. Music and journalism were influencing my life in unexpected ways, reaching TV, music and writing. If it weren't recorded, it wouldn't have had as much impact.

George Floyd tragedy, J. Cole and the power of the word

Things calmed down in my life until George Floyd's incident. I, like many others, began speaking out on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic about it. Apparently, my words had power.

A conversation with the mother of my children and a post on the internet resulted in a protest in which J. Cole's support by way of Dennis Smith Jr. showcased the reach. I soon became a trending name, seen and heard everywhere.

Major networks in journalism and hip-hop talked about it. The protest led to camping at the Market House, known for selling slaves.

Advocates, including myself, aimed to make change. Music kept us going during this time. Amidst the chaos, my mental health suffered, but I found peace in writing. Reflecting and expressing myself helped me cope.

With so much happening globally, including the deaths of Kobe and Nipsey Hussle, and the ongoing COVID-19 situation, discussions about me emerged — often negative. I needed an outlet and used a pen to express myself. To my surprise, people cared and wanted me to tell their stories.

This strengthened my voice, and soon, people wanted to hear my thoughts on various matters. This opened doors for me, and I added photography, turning my dream into reality.

I lived out my dream, experiencing and interacting with my favorite rappers and artists. My cousin and I had been trying to figure out how to get into the industry, and here I was being exposed in a way I never thought of but was passionate about.

Telling the stories

I love telling stories, thinking about MLK and Malcolm X, and wondering how different the narrative would be if they could speak for themselves. My journalism is about telling our story our way.

While at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, in Washington, D.C., and I realized they tell us the good part of the stories (in school) and I saw a more in depth look there, but there's always a process.

Music, as well as journalism, tells personal stories of artists or those around them, having the power to affect the audience they touch. Being an artist is amazing; it's valuable.

You can change a narrative or create social change through art. Obama won the election with their help, and Lil Baby's "The Bigger Picture" was my 2020 anthem during the social justice movement.

Just a testament to the power of the pen. Salute to the Black creatives and every activist getting active. Peace.

Rakeem “Keem” Jones is a community advocate and father of three from the Shaw Road/Bonnie Doone area of Fayetteville. He can be reached at keemj45@gmail.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville journalist, activist Keem Jones: What keeps me going