Delegates spoke emphatically about battles with the media, particularly radio, over the treatment and portrayal of the urban community. Many argued these outlets spark controversy, reinforce ghetto stereotypes and play up petty beefs between public figures while ignoring significant issues. For example, Cincinnati delegates alleged an increase in police brutality. A big challenge, they said, has been to try to get urban radio to pay attention. They also pointed to a need to combat the onslaught of “misinformation'’ put out by conservative talk radio.

Read more »

“When it comes to hiphop, the South has long taken many cues from the West Coast—and the Bay Area, in particular—in terms of learning how to build self-sufficient, independent businesses without having to rely on New York to succeed,” says Tamara Palmer, author of Country Fried Soul: Adventures in Dirty South Hip-Hop. “Southerners have followed the blueprint laid down by rappers in the Bay Area such as Too $hort and E-40 and started their own businesses themselves, only joining up with larger companies when they find the terms suitable.

Read more »

Hoping to inspire underprivileged girls in New York, female rapper Remy Ma will take part in a panel being held by the Strength of My Sisters foundation later this month.

Read more »

The Fellowship of the Holy Hip-Hop, in conjunction with Christian Ministries Rap Fest and Flavor Fest, will host its 7th annual Holy Hip-Hop Artist Showcase and Music Awards during Holy Hip-Hop Week.

Read more »

Hip-Hop Summit Action Network chairman Russell Simmons and HSAN president/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis will be inducted Tuesday (July 25) as CISRI-ISP Permanent Observer Missionaries to the United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors program.

Read more »

This engaging panel discussion took place Wednesday July 19th before a packed house at the NBC Tower in downtown Chicago. Most of the people in the audience were members of Chi-Town’s media and journalism community. A variety of issues were discussed ranging from the state of Hip Hop, Its relationship to politics, the role of women in Hip Hop and many others..

Read more »

Since it began, hip-hop has worked outside the political arena to spark social change. From the early ’90s, when Public Enemy’s video for “By the Time I Get to Arizona” married civil rights footage with the image of Arizona’s then-governor exploding (the state initially opposed making Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday a national holiday) to Kanye West’s 2005 song “Diamonds From Sierra Leone,” which questions the high cost of fashion on those involved in the African diamond trade, music has carried a message.

Read more »