Mixtapes to Myspace: How Hip Hop Builds Movements
Mixtapes continue to be powerful communications and marketing tools within urban communities. Myspace created the opportunity for any aspiring artist to distribute their music online.
The Hip Hop community is progressive and active on issues, but often works in isolation from other progressive efforts. At best, the Progressive and Hip Hop communities can learn where to find each other and how to talk to each other. At worst, conservatives can find ways to drive wedge issues between the generally whiter, more affluent progressive community, and the less affluent, Black and Brown Hip Hop community.
Mixtapes and Myspace represent the Hip Hop community's grassroots and Netroots, respectively. On this panel, we’ll discuss the broad cultural and political issues issues at the forefront of political movements driven by the Hip Hop community, and how Hip Hop and Progressive activists can find each other and work together in solidarity. Plus, we’ll discuss some of the practical strategies progressive candidates and organizations can employ to work with potential allies among young people in urban communities,and vice versa.
Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr., is a minister, community activist, and one of the most influential people in Hip Hop political life. He currently serves as President of the Hip Hop Caucus, which is a national organization that engages young people in urban communities in elections, policymaking, and service. Rev. Yearwood was a co-creator of the 2004 campaign "Vote or Die" with P Diddy. He was also the Political and Grassroots Director for Russell Simmons in 2003 and 2004. In 2008 he created the “Respect My Vote” voter mobilization campaign with Platinum Grammy winning recording artists T.I. and Keyshia Cole.
Paradise Gray is a organizer, Hip-hop Pioneer/Historian who ran legendary club The Latin Quarters. a founding member of The X-Clan, also managed Urban music for MP3.com. The Executive Director of One HOOD, was instrumental in organizing The Pittsburgh "Coalition Against Violence". Awarded the 2008 Community Communicator Of The Year Award by the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation and The Thomas Merton Centers 2009 "New Person Award". He is a board member of the Heinz Endowments African American Men and Boys Council , "MACOTI" Mothers Against Conviction Of The Innocent, "MAASV" Martial Artists Against Street Violence and The Presbyterian Peace ministries.
Affectionately known as "Dr. Goddess," Kimberly C. Ellis, Ph.D. is a scholar of American & Africana Studies and Executive Director of the Historic Hill Institute. A Creative Community Organizer, she received the 2009 Thomas Merton Center’s “New Person” Award & the 2008 YWCA Racial Justice Award for the “Raise Your Hand! No Casino on the Hill Campaign.” Also a poet, playwright and performing artist, "Dr. Goddess!: A One Woman Show" and its ensemble sequel, "Dr. Goddess Goes to Jail, a spoken word, musical comedy (unfortunately) based on a true story" is now on CD & DVD.
Jasiri X is a MC, Activist and Entrepreneur. He burst on the scene with the controversial hit song “FREE THE JENA 6” which was named “Hip-hop Political Song of the Year”. He followed that up with the groundbreaking Hip-Hop news series "This Week With Jasiri X". Each Episode features Jasiri X reporting the National news over the hottest beats. As President of LYRICS Inc. Jasiri successfully navigates communication with youth and adults showing the pros and cons of this growing phenomenon called Hip-Hop. His debut album, "The Autobiography of Jasiri X" will be released this fall on Guerrilla Funk/Universal Records.
