By jbro

If you have been a part of the RI hip hop scene in the past 5 years, you have seen Chachi Carvahlo perform. And even if you haven’t found yourself at an RI hip hop event during this time, you might still know this ambitious young man (30 years old) from his various activities in the community. Known by one of his friends as the unofficial “mayor of Providence,” Mr. Carvahlo is a true Renaissance man, visionary, and hip hop ambassador - a first generation Cape Verdean immigrant, representing for his people.

Chachi grew up in Pawtucket. The home of his recent business venture, Beat Box Studio (in collaboration with DJ Therion), is in Pawtucket (the old POAMLANDS MALL site - 250 Main Street). Surrounded by images of cultural icons Bob Marley, and Tupac Shakur, relaxing in the comforts of a black leather chair in his cozy studio, Carvahlo took some time out to run-down the promise and possibility of his latest venture: Peace Fest 4.

Jbro: What is Peace Fest 4?
Chachi: A gathering of artists, concerned citizens and hip hop fans that are coming together to shed some light on our culture that has been tarnished. We want to counteract that. The culture is what it is. We are the part that’s trying to shed light.

J: Why should someone come to PEACE FEST 4?
C: They should come to support people that are doing positive things. We are trying to feed people while we eat. You have to support artists that are doing and saying real things…that are trying to help. When you come to the event you are going to see “everyday people” taking time to invest in themselves, but others as well.

J: And what about RI Hip Hop?
C: The talent here is amazing. There are a lot of hard workers, but no unity. I feel that I was put here to be a bridge, encouraging people to grab the torch and carry it.

J: Is the RI Hip Hop community thriving then?
C: Of course. Providence is a rising arts community. They are shooting films here. Downtown is growing. This entire building (250 Main Street) is about the arts. We have to try to take advantage of the light that is being shined. It has been a long time since the area has had something that is consistent.

J: What is Peace to you?
C: Piece of mind. Knowing that people get down, especially now the way things are… Peace is a state of mind.

J: Can you give the audience a brief history of PEACE FEST?
C: It started in December of 2005. I was working in Valley Community School (in Pawtucket). Three students were murdered in one year. I was the Teacher Assistant/Basketball coach, trying to give these kids hope. Paragon’s (one of the artists performing at this year’s PEACE FEST) cousin (Errol Clinton) was murdered that year and I felt I had to do something. At the time Providence had the most unsolved murders in the country. I had the voice. Everywhere I found myself, I had the voice to get people to listen. I started handing out a sheet about the murders and violence that was going on. This got the kids talking about the murders at lunch…in the cafeteria…a lot of important discussions were happening. I wanted to change the course of the kids I was dealing with. Swann Notty, Wande, M.E.A.L Tix, Zawadi, John Hope…were all part of the first PEACE FEST event.

J: Do you think that Hip Hop can change that way our youth think today?
C: Of course. I don’t know how much my hip hop is going to effect the world, but I can effect the world around me. PEACE FEST sparked something in my head.

J: Where are youth’s mentals today?
C: All this was supposed to happen. The adult population is too scared or too involved to care. Parents are scared of children. It’s crazy. You see it now more than ever, babies pushing babies.

J: Have youth been abandoned by adults?
C: Yeah. The abandonment comes from parents that are unfit. It is what it is. I just try to be part of the solution, and not the problem. I know I can do better. And I push others to try to do better. And I do my best to bring people together that can grab that microphone and spit something that’s gonna make you feel something.

Rhode Island Hip Hop Peace Fest was an idea created to raise awareness about the dangers of gun violence in our music and in our communities and how it affects our every day lives. By combining the visual arts community, local media and the local community of musicians, we are spreading the message through the voices that create change and really make a difference.

jbro is a local emcee/artist/educator/peace-promoter that can be caught on stage at the PEACE FEST as part of hip hop duo RAS (Riders Against the Storm).