Hooked On Drums™
Bringing the Life-Changing Power of African Drums to Urban Youth

Hooked On Drums™ brings the upbeat, inspiring rhythms of African djembe drumming from the Malinke people in Guinea , West Africa to kids in urban Chicago. We offer Hooked On Drums classes and youth drum performances through the Chicago Park District, local schools and community organizations.

More than just a way to “blow off steam” or “keep kids off the street,” the program gets kids hooked on authentic, traditional music, allowing them to explore African heritage while sharpening their minds on a complex musical idiom. And the rhythms are irresistible!

Hooked On Drums™ is also the name of our organization, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in Chicago that is deeply committed to using African music as a vehicle for fostering creativity, curiosity, discipline, self-confidence and well-being in youth—above all, inner-city, at risk youth of diverse ethnic backgrounds. Learn more about our Vision here.