Christopher Beckwith, professionally known as YOUNG JIMMY, is a Millennial African American guitarist, singer-songwriter, rapper, record label executive, and recording artist. Born in Manhattan, Lower East Side, raised in The Bronx, East Chester Gardens, located in the poorest Congressional District 16, and notoriously known for the largest gang (RICO) takedown in New York City history. Both parents of Black American descent (American slave ancestry & native american ancestry) migrated from the Carolinas to New York City during the 'Great Migration'. He was given a guitar by an older cousin at the age of 6. As he grew up he developed a growing interest in the arts. He attended the High School of Art & Design and received a 4-year scholarship to Greenwich House Music School from Dr. B.C Vermeersch, the director. He majored in `Film Media` in art school and studied Classical, Jazz, Blues, and Rock music at the music school, performing monthly recitals.
Growing up in the `BOOGIE DOWN` Bronx, rock music was not the norm by any means, the birthplace of Hip Hop. YOUNG JIMMY was the juxtaposition to an environment dominated by Hip Hop, gangs, guns, violence, and building fires. Raised by a single mother in public housing, his stepfather was Hip Hop Legend and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Grand Master Mele Mel, who helped nurture his musical ambitions. Introduced Young Jimmy to the music industry, and he accompanied Mele Mel on a few sold-out shows as a backing guitarist. Young Jimmy describes his style of music as HOOD ROCK, black produced rock music from the Hood (alternative Rock sub-genre). It is described by him in simple terms as “The opposite of Suburban Rock".
YOUNG JIMMY's earliest recorded work was before becoming a solo artist. He was the lead guitarist and co-composer of a five-piece indie rock band called Sankofa. Formed in 2006, the house band of the now legendary House of Yes (music venue) during the height of the New York City indie rock 2010s music surge. YOUNG JIMMY was a mere 19 years of age during the recording of 'To My Chagrin (2007)'.
The band was an integral part of the early AFRO-PUNK scene in New York City, recording just one album, an unreleased studio EP called "To My Chagrin" (recorded in 2007, released in 2014, premiering on AFROPUNK.COM), recorded at Monsterland Studios in Brooklyn, NY, with mixing & mastering engineer Paul Mahajan. Paul has captured the sounds and energies of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (Fever To Tell), The Lairs (Arena Rock), TV on the Radio (Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes, and Young Liars), and The National's (Beggars Banquet).
Sankofa consisted of Hassan Spruill (rhythm-guitar), Darren Benjamin Maxwell (singer), YOUNG JIMMY (lead guitarist), J.C. (percussionist), and Reginald Duvivier (bassist).
YOUNG JIMMY has shared the stage and recorded with (as a backing guitarist and solo artist) Kendrick Lamar, Freddie Gibbs, Big Krit, Saul Williams, Talib Kweli & Michelle Williams, Mele Mel, Kam Franklin, Kendra Foster, LIZA, Aja Monet, Smoke Dza, Res, Ces Cru, Lil Debbie, Jah C & The Antidote, Ms. Boogie, Caviliar, Doodlebug of Digable Planets, Sankofa, A Deer A Horse, Shrine for the Black Madonna, Tamar Kali, Game Rebellion.
The Afro-Punk documentary by filmmaker James Spooner best describes the 'Black Rocker' experience. Black people created rock music in the early 1950s. For the last 50 years, the genre has been dominated and appropriated by white people, mainly white men. Here are excerpts from Jack Hamilton's book 'Just Around Midnight', which speaks to the plight of the 'Black Rocker.'
YOUNG JIMMY's Debut Studio Album 'Rockett 88' is available now on all streaming platforms (listen now!). His anticipated 'Rockett 88 (Deluxe)' Album is available now via HOOD ROCK RECORDS (RIAA). Vinyl Records Coming Soon includes a “HEAVY. (Feat. Kam Franklin) Extended Version (bonus track). Listeners can dive into his raw, unfiltered "HOOD ROCK" fusion sound. His perspective will force listeners to confront the stark reality of these unprecedented times in American History and Music.
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