As seen and heard on YouTube or on Revolt TV, the music network founded by Sean Combs, a Richie Mutts freestyle strikes all the right notes. Contemporary beat, dazzling wordplay, powerful urban imagery. Close listening reveals a strong social justice message baked into the groove. Mutts calls it \u201cputting medicine in the food,\u201d whipping up a confection so delicious kids don\u2019t realize it\u2019s good for them.<\/p>\n
For Mutts \u201906 (CLAS) the impulse to do good is as irresistible as an infectious melody. In addition to making music and videos, the Hamden, Connecticut, native works as a program director for Meriden Children First, and last year he established the Born Rich Foundation. Dedicated to improving racial equality across Connecticut, the nonprofit is built on what Mutts calls \u201cthe five Es \u2014 exposure, experience, education, and empowerment, all wrapped up on a foundation of equity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Foundation\u2019s name comes from a 2019 documentary Mutts made about the disconnection between communities of color and institutions of power, including the police. It nods to a wider definition of \u201cwealth\u201d than is commonly celebrated by the music industry.<\/p>\n
\u201cInformation is wealth, friendships are wealth, access is wealth,\u201d he says. \u201cBorn Rich addresses the idea that generational wealth begins with parents being able to share information and opportunity with their children. Social and emotional learning techniques, understanding of self, financial literacy \u2014 in underprivileged communities, we just don\u2019t have full access to all that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Among current projects, the Foundation is collaborating with the cities of Hamden, New Haven, and East Haven to produce a series of public service announcements aimed at bridging the disconnect between communities of color and law enforcement. \u201cI want to get officers and municipal leaders to put themselves in the shoes of a young minority,\u201d Mutts says. \u201cAnd I also want that 16-year-old kid to put himself in the shoes of a cop. We have to be able to at least try to understand each other.\u201d<\/p>\n