Kanye West and fellow rapper and songwriter Che “Rhymefest” Smith have joined forces to launch Got Bars, an educational music program aimed at Chicago youth ages 15 to 24. The initiative is designed to give young people a creative outlet during the summer while teaching them the craft of writing lyrics, building melodies, and recording tracks from start to finish. Got Bars is more than a hobby project; it is structured as a learning lab where participants experiment with rhyme schemes, storytelling, rhythm, and the basics of studio production. Participants will engage in hands on songwriting sessions, guided by mentors who have worked in the music industry, and gain real world experience in recording, mixing, and presenting their music. The program emphasizes collaboration, personal expression, and the development of transferable skills that can help participants pursue opportunities in music and media. The goal is to channel energy that might otherwise lead to trouble into constructive, skill building activities that yield tangible outcomes by the end of summer. The program invites youth from diverse backgrounds to participate and discover their voice in a supportive environment that values curiosity and perseverance. Mentors foster an atmosphere of peer learning where students critique ideas, share feedback, and refine their tracks as a team and individually. The approach blends creative exploration with practical instruction, ensuring that every participant leaves with a finished piece they can be proud of, plus a clearer sense of how music production works in real life. The hope is that Got Bars will spark a lasting interest in music making that extends beyond the summer, helping young people build confidence, discipline, and a sense of possibility that can translate into academics, careers, and community engagement.
Got Bars is anchored in the charitable work of Kanye West through his organization Donda’s House, a nonprofit he established in memory of his mother, Donda West. Donda West was an educator who dedicated herself to improving the Chicago community, and Got Bars is framed as a continuation of that mission. The charity’s involvement provides organizational support, access to resources, and a network of mentors who understand the value of art as a pathway for youth empowerment. By linking the summer program to Donda’s House, the project signals a commitment to long term community impact, not just a single event. The collaboration with Che Smith brings additional perspectives from the hip hop community and strengthens the program’s ability to connect with aspiring artists from different neighborhoods. Through Got Bars, the founders want to honor Donda West’s legacy by offering a constructive outlet for energy, a learning environment that respects young people’s experiences, and a platform where their voices can be heard and showcased. The emphasis on storytelling and authentic expression aligns with the broader goals of music education, which include literacy, numeracy in production contexts, teamwork, and the discipline of meeting project deadlines. In this way, Got Bars aims to contribute positive, durable benefits to the community while inspiring similar efforts in other cities.
Set to begin in August, Got Bars will guide participants through an intensive period of writing, arranging, and recording. The program culminates with a public release of tracks created by the students, giving them the experience of preparing, presenting, and promoting their own music. The release also provides a tangible milestone that recognizes their hard work and creative growth. Kanye West and Che Smith have expressed a hope that Got Bars will ultimately expand beyond Chicago and become an international program that supports youth around the world in discovering their artistic potential. While plans for expansion are not set in stone, the vision centers on creating scalable modules that can be adapted to different communities, with mentors and studios ready to travel or connect remotely as needed. The overarching aim is to empower young people with practical, transferable skills while nurturing confidence, resilience, and a sense of possibility. By combining mentorship, hands on music production, and opportunities for performance, Got Bars seeks to make a lasting impact on participants’ lives and to set a model that other cities can replicate.