The Big Picture: Xiuhtezcatl
In this episode, SHFT catches up with Hip Hop artist and environmental activist, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, AKA X. He is the voice of a generation impacted by climate change and he’s an amazing musician and artist to boot. X came of age as the world was beginning to wake up to the crushing reality of climate change and he quickly amassed enough environmental cred to go toe to toe with Al Gore.
At the tender of age of 15, X was given an award for community service by President Obama. Two years later he and other young activists sued the US government for not doing enough to act on climate. That same year X rose to national attention when he delivered a moving plea for climate justice to the UN General Assembly. Lately he has been spending his time making music, and as you’ll hear in this episode, his music is dope.