Rhymefest Freestyles for a South Side Obama Library

A new voice has entered the Obama Presidential Library debate, south side rapper and former aldermanic candidate Rhymefest (Che Smith). The hip-hop artist just released a freestyle imploring the committee to bring the building home to the South Side. "Come home, you've got a place here," he says over the sweet sounds of Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me," while rapping in front of local spots such as the Fountain of Time Statue in Washington Park and a Harold's Chicken. Produced by Museum Campus South founder Dr. Carol Adams, the video is part of a series featuring Chicago celebs such as soul singer Yaw and Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte, as well as other Hyde Park natives asking him to bring it on home.

Currently, the proposed South Side site at the University of Chicago is one of four finalists (the list also includes the University of Illinois at Chicago, Columbia University and the University of Hawaii). The request for proposals from each site, due next week on December 11, will be presented to the first couple early next year. It's unclear how much hip-hop endorsements will help with landing the library in Hyde Park, the sentimental favorite. But, it's probably a safe bet that Paul Wall and Chamillionaire weren't pushing as hard to have Dubya's library built in Texas.

·Rhymefest Raps to Support Obama Library on South Side [DNAinfo]
·Two South Side Bids for the Obama Library Get Axed [Curbed]