Blaq Ice, Aquil Ali, Orion Meadows

De'Andre Hawthorne AKA Blaq Ice is an Award Winning, American poet, International Spoken Word life artist, entertainer, lecturer, promoter, producer, host, videographer, graphic designer, published author, mentor and activist. The contributions of this amazing artist to American and Chicago spoken word poetry is truly Monumental. 

HISTORY MAKER

Blaq Ice is the first Hip Hop/ Spoken Word artist in Chicago to run for political office. In 2001 he ran for Alderman of the 17th Ward placing in 2nd.

Blaq Ice made history by establishing the 1st National Spoken Word Awards in 2017. This Award show is the Grammys for performing poets.

In 2021 Blaq Ice, as a member of the Black Heroes Matter Movement, was instrumental in helping to change the historic Lake Shore Drive to Jean Baptiste Point DuSable Lake Shore Drive. This was done after 200 years of denying the honor of the black man who founded Chicago.

On April 2, 2022, he won his 8th Chicago Music Award, his 7th for best poet. He has produced and released over 30 albums and has produced over 15 albums for other artists. His poetry has been published in 9 anthologies and he just released his new book in April of this year.

THE ACTIVIST AND MENTOR

As an activist and mentor he has mentored thousands of young people in Chicago Public Schools since 1990. He has lead Peace marches on the southside and westside of Chicago against the murder and gun violence. He and his wife, Chicago's favorite Black Power Couple, visit prisons, feed and clothes the homeless.

Not only has he left an imprint in the Spoken Word Genre internationally, but he has also left his footprint in communities all across the world with his artist/activist movement P.O.E.T, inspiring thousands of ordinary people to use their gifts to do extraordinary works in their communities.

Aquil Hussein Ali Bashir, deemed "The Most Interesting Man in the Hood" by radio personality Patty Jackson, was born in Philadelphia, PA on September 2, 1972 to two loving parents, Dr. Abdul M. Bashir and his late wife, Nazirah A. Bashir, the iconic power couple who brought Paramount Dental to Philadelphia, PA on 52nd Street & Master Street. Aquil grew up all over the country learning and helping his family to facilitate affordable dentures to impoverished communities, while affording them the ability to smile again.

While a student at Overbrook High School in 1988, Aquil was a Radio/TV personality on "The Way It Is" at the tender age of 15 on WDAS-AM/FM radio, working alongside radio greats such as the late "Butterball" Joe Tamberro, Jocko Henderson, Georgie Woods, Tamblin Henry, E. Steven Collins, Doug Henderson, and Patty Jackson just to name a few. He's Interviewed Smokin' Joe Frazier, Marvis Frazier, Percy Sutton of the Apollo Theater, Kool Moe Dee, Heavy D, Black Box, Toni Tony Tone, Maxi Priest, Prince, Michael Jackson, and James Earl Jones.

Aquil's contributed to television credits for PHL17 Kid Time News, and also made guest appearances on BET's Teen Summit. 

At the age of 16, Aquil became the CEO of Talent Network For Teens showcasing HipHop legends like Parry P, Cool C, EST and many more. He also hosted B-Boy battles and DJ battles involving DJ Jazzy Jeff, Double Trouble, and many more. He distributed and sold VHS mixed tapes of local teenage talent that he's managed.

 In 1996, Aquil became a club owner of The Grindstone, a hot spot for Philly's elite celebrities, hustlers and athletes, subsequently writing a book on his experiences some 20 years later.

From 1998-2003, Aquil was the CEO of Frontline Security, also an armed soldier for Insomnia Security and F.O.I., protecting stars and various venues in the Tri-State area of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, providing security details for stars such as Jill Scott, Beenie Man, Sizzla, Buju Banton, Beyonce, TLC, Jadakiss, Earthquake, and many others. 

In 1999, Aquil acquired his certification from National School of Mechanical Dentistry and started working alongside his family serving low income individuals all over Philadelphia for over 20 years.

In 2017, "Aquil Ali the Soul Poet" emerged on the scene as an author/spoken word artist after suffering a stroke and bouncing back from his near death experience after being left abandoned on his deathbed by his then wife. He channeled his misery in his writings and poetry.

As a performer, "Aquil Ali the Soul Poet" has graced several stages across the country on his Bucket List Tour, leaving audiences mesmerized and entertained by his commentary of survival stories and his gut-wrenching poetry, inspiring others to have faith and to push through life. 

Aquil's latest book and poetry production is called "Memoirs of a 3X Husband", captivating audiences again with in-depth poetry about real-life events of his life that every divorced man and woman can identify with.

Orion Meadows is a Slam/Spoken Word Performance Artist, activist, author and public speaker. Much of his activism is expressed through his art. Orion is a member of organizations such as NAEFI (National Alliance for the Empowerment of the Formerly Incarcerated) and PNAP (Prisoners Neighborhood Arts & Education Project)while attending Northeastern Illinois University. He is an advocate for the implementation of the creative arts and academic programs in the Department of Corrections and has served as a participant in Queen Mother Helen Sinclair's Jessie Ma Houston prison outreach ministry which is a branch of the Rainbow Push Coalition. Among his other accomplishments, he has attained ordination in West African and African American religious and cultural studies from the Temple of Ole which is also known as Ruyah Ole, and is the founder of SAHU CREATIVE. His 3 publications are entitled Inside The Box, Birthmark and The Rose That Grew Through The Barbwire. Orion is very passionate about his craft, urban aesthetics and culture and using Hip-hop arts as a vessel to raise awareness in the community. His social media outlets are Facebook under his name Orion Meadows and his account on Instagram is listed as omeadows.

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