.jpg)
Nearly 20 years after the first Stop the Violence campaign was birthed, Hip Hop pioneer KRS-One is re-launching the effort with many of the today's notable MCs.50 Cent, Lil Wayne, Immortal Technique, Chingy, and Rick Ross are just a few of many who will participate in the series of public service announcements designed to curb the increasing levels of violence among youth.
"We are in a state of emergency—school shootings, nooses being hung from trees, domestic violence, gang violence, police brutality and war. In the midst of mass turmoil the Hip Hop community cannot afford to stand still," KRS said about the need for a new campaign.
In addition to the PSAs, various youth programs, lectures, films, and a new Stop the Violence album will follow.
While Hip Hop has been widely criticized for violent imagery that often celebrates death, the rappers involved with the project recognize that the culture has the ability to change society.
The project even drew the attention—and support—of Stanley Crouch, an outspoken critic of Hip Hop culture.
In an editorial that appeared last week on the SacBee website, Crouch praised KRS—while condemning T.I.—for a campaign that "couldn't come too soon."
"If this smart campaign is successful in lessening the slaughter of black people from coast to coast," Crouch writes, "we will all be glad to admit that hip-hop has begun to discourage the kinds of actions that resulted in the ominous charges now facing Clifford Harris, way down yonder in Atlanta."
The original Stop the Violence campaign began in the late 80's in response to rising violence in the community and the death of Boogie Down Productions co-founder Scott La Rock. The movement birthed the classic anthem, "Self Destruction", which featured a who's who of Hip Hop including Doug E. Fresh, Public Enemy, Stetsasonic, and Boogie Down Productions. All proceeds from the campaign were donated to the National Urban League.
(Adapted from www.HipHopDX.com)
.jpg)
Posts
2 comments:
I appreciate your work not letting people forget the Katrina Victims.
starving dj that wants to be make it with positive music. I'm tired of all the bullshit in the current hip hop music. 50cent, lil wayne and t-pain is the wackest music out there. Growing up cutting and scratching with the influences of the invisible scratch pickles, jazzy jeff, and beat junkies, i had enough of all the gangster rap. I want to keep it real and play the funk, and underground sounds of the passed that inspires not music that portrays glamour and money, sex drugs and gangs. Battle on the turntables, battle on the mic, battle on the floor. Whatever happen to the good days? When hip hop music had a purpose. I'm a dj that plays on the outskirts of the las vegas strip that still plays your music and many others like public enemy, beastie boys, sugarhill gang, etc. I went to the club last night "Pure" at caesars palace. What a joke! I just wanted to check it out and see what the other djs were playing. Automatically i felt i didn't belong there. What are these people listening too? Wack ass radio shits. Solidier Boy? come on people you are all falling into negative influences that portray violence, and negativity. "Plastic people" thats what I call them. People that have a vail over their ears that never even heard what real music is. I work at a small bar called the New York Cafe were I can play music that you won't get on the strip. It's hard times have changed to the worst and I'm still struggling. Instead of the wack beats played on the radio I still keep it real cutting and scratching underground tunes. I'm making my own beats now so I don't fall into the wackness. Thanks KRS and all that support! Myspace.com//turntablistswami
Post a Comment