NEWARK HOSTS NATIONAL HIP-HOP POLITICAL CONVENTION JUNE 16-19

Jun 9, 2004 12:00 PM, The Editors

From June 16-19, the inaugural National Hip Hop Political Convention will take place in Newark, N.J. The Convention plans to draw well over 15,000 young people from around the country. Attendees will represent the entire culturally diverse spectrum of urban music fans, from those simply following the most mainstream happenings to those interested in its social and political themes.

The Convention will consist of four days of workshops, panels, networking sessions and three free concerts. The central purpose of the panel discussions will center on sharing views about the current Hip-Hop scene and the importance of the NHHPC on setting a political agenda for our generation. The panel discussion groups will be headed up by a very long list of well-known and distinguished figures and those guest speakers comprise music industry executives, artists, public and state officials, religious and community leaders, the heads of major non-profit organizations, respected authors and journalists. They include:

Ras Baraka, deputy mayor of city of Newark, N.J. and the son of famous poet Amiri Baraka
James Bernard, author and co-founder of renowned hip-hop publications The Source and XXL
Bakari Kitwana, acknowledged as the expert on youth culture by New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, O’Reilly Factor and more; author of The Hip-Hop Generation: Young Blacks and the Crisis in African American Culture
Dennis Kucinich
Chuck D
Harry Allen
Sista Souljah
Kevin Powell
Staff Members from Vibe and King magazines
Hot 97 Radio Personalities
Rock the Vote
Steph Lova
Davey D

The Kickoff:
Wednesday, June 16 (Tupac's Birthday):
NHHPC Youth Summit featuring Nas, MC Lyte, Doug E. Fresh, Power 105's Steph Lova and Roc-A-Fella recording artist Rell. This is a closed event for school students only.

Thursday, June 17: ALL WELCOME TO ATTEND
A Town Hall Meeting featuring an intergenerational dialog between the hip-hop generation and the civil-rights generation. Topics to be discussed include spirituality, art and culture, rethinking grassroots activism and new challenges in electoral politics. Confirmed speakers include Haki Madhabuti, Panama and Marinieves Alba, M-1 of dead prez, Ernie Pannicoli, Boots Riley of the Coup, Rosa Clemente, Rev. Calvin Butts, Michael Eric Dyson, dream hampton, Ras Baraka and more! Moderators for this event include Farai Chideya, Gus Heningberg, and Cedric Muhammad. Other invited guests include Afeni Shakur, Kathleen Cleaver, Angela Davis, Cornel West and many others. Location: Metropolitan Baptist Church, Springfield Ave., Newark, N.J.

Thursday's performance is co-sponsored by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center “Sounds of the City” summer concert series, with special guest Floetry!

Friday, June 18: A Full Day of Workshops, Trainings and Day-Long Concerts!
More than 30 workshops provide something for everyone conducted on topics including the prison industrial complex, gang outreach, dismantling the criminalization of hip-hop, environmental justice, education reform, antiwar issues, reproductive rights, gay rights, drug policy, affirmative action, women in politics and more. Trainings include cop watch, leadership development, guerilla marketing, voter registration training, credit and finance repair and more. These panels are issue-based and-action oriented, meaning panelists will provide information on existing policies that need attention and real strategies for forward movement and progress. Prominent participants include, Rah Digga, Tony Touch, Hassan Shariff (G-Unit Clothing), Fredro Starr, Cheo Hodari Coker, Senator Nia Gil, Loretta Ross, Rob Kampia, Chuck D, Harry Allen, Tragedy Khadafi, Ras Baraka, Chuck Creekmur (Allhiphop.com), Raqiyah Mays (Co-Editor of The Ave. Magazine and HOT97 Radio personality), Erik Parker (Music Editor at Vibe magazine), Datwon Thomas (King magazine), Valerie Vande Panne (High Times magazine), Sista Souljah, Kevin Powell, Toni Blackman, Congressman/recent presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich and many more.

Friday’s performances will be hosted by Chang and will include Beatnuts, Tony Touch, MC Lyte, Slick Rick, Doug E. Fresh and Wyclef.

Saturday, June 19:
Additional morning workshops will be provided, followed by the convention's most important and historic conclusion: a national vote to endorse an agenda and action plan for our generation and the Convention's main concert finale.

The Convention will draw to a close with an unforgettable final concert on Saturday that will be hosted by Talent and will include performances from Roc Steady Crew, Scratch Academy Clinic (for the turntablists), Akon, Black Moon and Rah Digga—we’ll hold the headlining acts under our cap until showtime. You will not want to miss this show!

Change does not come about without action, so come share your input, skills, strategies and network with others from all over the world. Plus, everything is free; all we ask is that you share your voice and participate!

For more information, visit www.hiphopconvention.org.

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