Named the Grassroots Artists MovEment (G.A.ME) , Inc. by artists Erykah Badu, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, and Dead Prez, G.A.ME is an international non-profit membership organization with the mission of using Hip-Hop to organize the community around sociopolitical and economic issues facing the black and Latino community. G.A.ME focuses in the three areas of preventing youth incarceration, providing healthcare to disadvantaged communities, and protecting artist rights. G.A.ME’s central and local administrations hold regular democratic meetings that offer members a voice in every aspect of the organization. We remain open and inclusive to those with an interest in justice and freedom.

Since being founded in 2001, G.A.ME, Inc. has brought positive and influential Hip-Hop artists into the organization. We developed a diverse CD compilation titled Get in the G.A.ME that features notable artists Dead Prez and Immortal Technique. G.A.ME was invited to the first National Hip-Hop Political Convention in 2004 and again in 2006 to speak on collective bargaining power and health disparities. We have been featured in Hip-Hop magazines Russell Simmons’One World, XXL, the Source and other publications such as Village Voice, Caribbean Life and Daily Challenge; we have been publicized and interviewed on the airwaves of Future Flavas on Power 105.1FM and Hot97, the Source Radio, and programs Rise Up Radio and Building Bridges on WBAI 99.5FM.

The founders are Omowale Adewale, Neneh Jalloh-Adewale, Francis Pena, and Mutulu Olugbala (M-1).

International Artists Union -I.A.U: The Recording & Media Committee (RMC) and the Events & Promotions Committee (EPC) engages in work that is primarily beneficial to independent artists. The EPC & RMC does this work to build membership. Through this process of building membership w/ independent artists G.A.ME begins the process of taking away power from the RIAA and displaying our own. For the purpose of strategically gaining membership in 2006: The work of the RMC & EPC must be fun, practical, engaging and consistent.

Recording & Media Committee (RMC): The main RMC work includes: developing cd compilations, offering artists studio sessions at free or discounted rates, event access & venue space for filmmakers, and administrative needs that fall under RMC work. The RMC work also includes educating members/public on new developments in the media and music industries, especially as it relates to the artist and the public. For example: the unfair rotation artists receive on radio.

Events & Promotions Committee (EPC) The main EPC work is to develop events and promote artists and administrative needs that fall under EPC work. The EPC work also includes educating members/public on new developments in the performance arts, especially as it relates to the artist and the public. For example: the unfair situation of promoters pimping artists in the underground.

Legislative activity: (U.S.) Introducing the Artist Freedom Act

G.A.ME HealthCare Network: In 2004, G.A.ME developed the G.A.ME HealthCare Network in which we provided free medical, dental, and free to low-cost prescription for G.A.ME members from physicians organized through our grassroots efforts. We address health diseases such as HIV/AIDS and asthma through structured campaigns throughout the U.S. and in Lagos, Nigeria. G.A.ME plans quarterly health screenings and regular forums on health education. G.A.ME testified before the Congressional Hearing on the U.S. HealthCare Crisis in Harlem and at the Congressional Hearing for Artists on Healthcare on behalf of artists and the uninsured population.

In December of 2005, executive director Omowale Adewale met with G.A.ME Nigeria director Fleet Militant aka Moyosore Akojenu to organize the distribution of STD medicine in Lagos Nigeria. The event took place on February 14, 2006.

Legislative activity: Support for HR 676 "Universal Healthcare for All"

R.E.B.E.L (Rallying Educating & Building Effective Leadership):

The R.E.B.E.L Program’s mission is to build youth leadership in the black and brown community and prevent youth incarceration. R.E.B.E.L advocates for the eradication of youth incarceration. We speak to judges on behalf of youth who have been arrested and ask for youth to be transfered to R.E.B.E.L instead of secure detention centers or jails.

Why? Because we love our youth, and only love and development will create leaders in our communities.

R.E.B.E.L Sessions & Trainings are Hip-Hop inspired & politically concentrated. R.E.B.E.L conducts sessions & trainings at the Urban Assembly Academy for History & Citizenship for Young Men in the Bronx, NY.

R.E.B.E.L sessions are lectures and youth discussions that are conducted in classrooms settings. Sessions encompass studies around African and Indigenous people’s history and culture, U.S. politics, social justice movements and Hip-Hop Culture. Discussions include voting rights, drug abuse, drug trafficking, high school education, youth incarceration; and lessons in self-determination that give students a sense of community ownership and self-respect.

R.E.B.E.L trainings are hands-on approaches which include political debates around local, national & international events; organizing students 14-25 years old in high school and on college campuses around issues such as youth incarceration and developing high school clubs, organizing community residents around issues affecting their neighborhood such as lack of housing, and learning how to structure and carry-out a political, promotional and social justice campaigns. Outings include visits to NYS Assembly and NYC Council Hearings, community board meetings, radio stations; television stations, Hip-Hop community centers, performances and forums.

Legislative activity: (NY State) Introducing the Eradication of Youth Incarceration