© 2025 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Detroit hip-hop musician combines art and activism

Sacramento Knoxx
Courtesy photo
/
Christopher Yepez

Multimedia artist Sacramento Knoxx talks with Current State about how growing up in Detroit influences his art and his activism.

A lot of early hip hop was political, with artists like Public Enemy using their music as a way to voice the concerns of the African American community. That legacy continues today right here in Michigan.

Current State’s April Van Buren talks to a Detroiter who is using his his art as a tool for community organizing. He's Christopher Yepez, who goes by the name Sacramento Knoxx. He’s a Chicano and Ojibwe multimedia artists who grew up in Southwest Detroit. His hometown and his heritage serve as inspiration for a lot of his filmmaking and his music.

These days, he incorporates a lot of electronic and hip hop elements into his work, but his first musical experience, in Kindergarten class, started out a little more low-tech.

Related Content
With new leaders shaping policies in Michigan and Washington, WKAR remains committed to providing trusted coverage of the changes that impact you. Your support keeps this vital news freely accessible to our community. Donate today to power the reliable journalism you value.