User:Sadiowiki/sandbox
| Submission declined on 27 May 2025 by ToadetteEdit (talk). This submission's references do not show that the subject qualifies for a Wikipedia article—that is, they do not show significant coverage (not just passing mentions) about the subject in published, reliable, secondary sources that are independent of the subject (see the guidelines on the notability of people). Before any resubmission, additional references meeting these criteria should be added (see technical help and learn about mistakes to avoid when addressing this issue). If no additional references exist, the subject is not suitable for Wikipedia.
Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
|  |
Jeffrey Dante Campbell (born 1969) is an American rapper, playwright, educator, and cultural organizer based in Denver, Colorado. Known professionally as Apostle, he is the founder of the Colorado Hip-Hop Coalition and the Emancipation Theater Company, and was the lead vocalist for the experimental dub group Heavyweight Dub Champion.[1]
Early Life and Education
[edit]Campbell was born in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1969 and moved to Longmont, Colorado, in 1973. He is the son of Charles Campbell, an engineer for IBM, and Josie Campbell, an abstract painter. He is the youngest of three children and the only son. His sister Catrina is a real estate investor in Indiana, and his sister Cassandra is a literacy teacher in Florida.[citation needed]
He attended Skyline High School from 1985 to 1988, where he competed in the National Forensics League. He earned first place in the Colorado State Championship for Humorous Interpretation during both his sophomore and senior years, and first place in Duet Acting during his junior year. At the national level, he placed 4th in the U.S. twice, and 9th once.[citation needed]
In 1984, Campbell gained local recognition as a breakdancer in the crew Captain Crunch and the Breakin’ Bunch, performing at large public events across Colorado. Notably, he performed at “Break for Summer” at the Denver Galleria, which drew over 20,000 attendees.[2][3][4][5]
Solo Career as Apostle
[edit]In the 1990s, Campbell began performing under the name Apostle. His debut EP, The Chosen One (1994), was released on Kut-N-Kru Records, followed by the albums Dayz of Darkness (1996), Last of a Dying Breed (2000), and Lyrical Activism (2008), a spoken-word and hip-hop hybrid created with Bay Area DJ Quest.[6] He toured nationally with KRS-One and collaborated with notable artists in Denver, the Bay Area, and beyond.[1]
Emancipation Theater Company (2018–Present)
[edit]In 2018, Campbell launched the Emancipation Theater Company, a multidisciplinary arts organization producing work that centers Black history, community healing, and social justice. Notable productions include:
- Honorable Disorder (2018), a Henry Award-nominated play about Black veterans[7]
- I Am Raverro (2021), a dramatization of a police assault at Denver’s Union Station, awarded "Best Artivists" by Westword[8]
- Message to the Mayor (2021), a multimedia campaign combining hip-hop, protest poetry, and documentary film to highlight the effects of Denver’s urban sweeps on the unhoused population
- In the Pocket: The Ballad of Bobby Trombone (2023), co-created with Theatre Artibus, which explores life at Denver’s historic Rossonian Hotel during the 1950s.[9]
Recognition
[edit]In November 2024, Campbell received the Social Impact Award from the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation and Denver Arts & Venues for his contributions to Colorado’s cultural and civic landscape.[10]
Legacy and Vision
[edit]Campbell currently leads the Emancipation Theater Company as it expands into film and television, focusing on stories of the Black experience in the American West. His work combines elements of hip-hop and theater to explore themes of cultural identity, social justice, and community storytelling.[11]
According to Campbell, his long-term goals include building a multimedia platform for underrepresented voices, developing education rooted in narrative justice, and establishing Colorado as a national hub for Black independent storytelling.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Champion Nation Is Apostle". HuffPost. 25 April 2009. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ Migoya, David (June 1984). "Break for Summer". La Voz.
- ^ Davis, Shirley (1984). "Breakdancing Crew Performs at Local Events". Longmont Daily Times-Call.
- ^ Eicher, Diane (June 1984). "Break for Summer Coverage". The Denver Post.
- ^ Davis, Shirley (1984). "Crunch, Bunch waltz to breakdance finals". Longmont Daily Times-Call.
- ^ "Mike D Chill On His New Album And More". HuffPost. 22 September 2010. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ "Emancipation Theater Company Debuts Honorable Disorder". 5 April 2018. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ Davies, Bree (October 3, 2013). "Jeff Campbell on Who Killed Jigaboo Jones?, his one-man show on hip-hop". Westword. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ "In the Pocket: The Ballad of Bobby Trombone". Denver Arts & Venues. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ "Social Impact Artist Award 2024 Honorees". Denver Arts & Venues. Retrieved May 23, 2025.
- ^ Davies, Bree (October 3, 2013). "Jeff Campbell on Who Killed Jigaboo Jones?, his one-man show on hip-hop". Westword. Retrieved May 27, 2025.
- ^ "Social Impact Artist Award 2024 Honorees". Denver Arts & Venues. Retrieved May 27, 2025.