Source Youth Foundation
Takes to the Streets
to Save Summer Jobs
by - Davey D
1/6/03 8:19:12 AM

Edward DeJesus, Executive Director of The Source Youth Foundation is taking to the streets to fight for summer jobs for youth. On Tuesday Feb 11, DeJesus will be joined by 500 youth and youth programs as they roll to Albany NY to educate legislators and policy makers about the importance of summer jobs for New York City Teens.

Since the elimination of the Federal Summer Jobs Program there are only 5600 jobs for the 800,000 New York City Teens who want to work. This problem is mirrored in countelss other citiies.

In order to ensure that at least 100,000 summer jobs will be available for New York City's teens next summer, DeJesus is calling on the support of many members of the hip-hop community. DeJesus is looking for financial support, creation on internships, guest appearances and more. To join the rally call DeJesus at 301-216-2050x203.

Rappers and Activists to Fight NY Radio


Bob Law, of the National Leadership Alliance announced today that on Tuesday, January 14th, Chuck D of the rap group Public Enemy, R&B stars Ray Goodman and Brown, and Gerald Alston are among the Rappers, R&B and Pop Music stars, are lining up to appear before a Community Tribunal charging that New York radio stations, as well as BET and MTV, are deliberately censoring Black Music by refusing to play music that they say is too Black, not raw enough, too positive, or that the performers are too old!

To date, a growing number of Rap Artists, as well as R&B and Pop Music stars, are lining up to appear before a panel of City Council members, Educators and Ministers, to expose a record industry practice and a radio programming policy that literally forces performers to do lurid, negative, and even violent lyrics, or have their music ignored by New York, as well as national program directors.

"This policy has a devastating effect on the Black community that goes well beyond the selling of music," says Law, whose National Leadership Alliance, along with the December 12th Movement & The Code Foundation, are the driving forces behind the community tribunal. "We are dealing with people, Law continues, who have decided to own our intellectual property, and thereby control the ideas that inform and influence so many in our community, particularly Black Youth."

Many of the cites Black organizations have been asked to send representatives to the hearing to learn first hand why there is so much negativity on the air waves, and to hearings will take place, and Rev. Clinton Miller of Brown Memorial Baptist Church in Brooklyn.

The public hearing is set for Tuesday, January 14, at 6pm, at the Metropolitan Community United Methodist Church. 126th Street & Madison Avenue, Harlem, New York.

For More info Contact: Maxine Hunter 212 862-9120
Sistas' Place 718 398-1766

FEDs After Irv Gotti


FEDs After Irv Gotti


People are still buzzing about last week's raid by the FEDs on the Manhattan offices of Murder Inc which is home to Ja Rule, Ashanti and Irv Gotti. According to published reports the FEDs have been conducting a year long investigation and are now trying to see if there is any connection between Murder Inc CEO Irv Gotti [Irving Lorenzo] and a convicted NY drug lord named Supreme aka Kenneth McGriff.

The FEDs believe that Supreme may have helped fund Gotti foray into the music industry. They assert that Supreme's money may have been used to buy equipment and rent out hotel rooms. According to Gotti and Def Jam, he was founded 3 million dollars from Def Jam to start his label. We'll have to wait and see how this investigation unfolds.

If that's not bad enough, they are now looking into his association with music mogul Suge Knight who's downtown [Tha Row] LA offices were recently the target of police raid..Both Supreme and Suge have been arrested for parole violations in the past couple of weeks in separate incidents. It's not clear as to whether or not the two men know each other.

Lastly there is talk that this latest raid and on going investigation may also be part of an effort to solve the unresolved shooting of 2Pac when he was shot 5 times in the lobby of a Manhattan studio.

In other Hip Hop news, it looks like Def jam records is making some big time moves. The latest word is that they have recently signed Doug E Fresh as well as southern white rapper Haystack. It'll be good if Def Jam can blow up Doug E who is one of the talented people to ever bless a mic. The last coup0le of times I've seen Doug perform he's blown up the spot and reminded us just why he's considered the World's Greatest Performer. The signing of Haystack will undoubtly strengthen an already formidable roster.

Common is making moves as of late. His new album 'Electric Circus', pushes the hip hop musical envelop as he branches out and embraces all sorts of genres. His band.. A Band called Becky is featured on the album as well as artist like Jill Scott, Prince, Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes, Cee-Lo, Bilal, Erykah Badu, Mary J Blige and ?uestlove of the Roots. One of the highlights of the album is an incredible spoken word piece that Common does called 'Heaven Somewhere'.

In a recent interview he spoke about the importance of stretching out, not limiting yourself and growing as both an artist and a person. The album definitely highlights that perspective. Common also illustrated his commitment to growing when he addressed the criticism of him being homophobic. In the past Common has been blasted for using the word 'faggot' in some of his lyrics. On a few occasions he even kicked freestyles that have rubbed gays the wrong way. He noted that over the past year he had to re-think his position and the insensitivity of his remarks. Part of what influenced him was when he discovered a close friend was gay. On this album you will not hear Common dissing gays.

Finally folks may wanna look out for Common as he makes an appearance in an upcoming episode of UPN's 'Girlfriend' along with spoken word artist Saul Williams. He will play the role of a former lover of Persia White's character Lynn Searcy, who goes public about Searcy's sexual practices during a poetry recital. It should be a funny episode.

Chuck D is making some moves we should be aware of. First of all he is the front man for a new group called The Fine Arts Militia. Its the brainchild of long time bassist Brian Hardgroove who used to be the music director for singer Dionne Farris as well play in the band Follow For Now. The Fine Arts Militia has composed music around some of the lectures and remarks Chuck D has delivered on topics dealing with race, the Internet and 9-11. From what I've heard the music is slamming.. In some of the promo photos Chuck and the other group members are shown wearing suits and ties.

Folks here in the Bay Area will get a chance to see the group perform live at the Berkeley Community Theater on Friday January 31. They will be appearing with Michael Franti and Spearhead, Ani DeFranco, Ozomatli and Saul Williams in a benefit concert for the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors For more information contact Not In Our Name at info@notinourname.net.

The other projects folks should look out for emerging out of Chuck D's camp are two excellent documentaries. One of them 'The Turntable Chronicles: DJ Lord Bring That Beat Back' focuses on the emergence of the PE turntablist who replaced the now retired Terminator X. It's put together well and will leave you appreciating the important role The DJ plays in on going evolution of Hip Hop culture.What really stood out for me was the number of competitions DJ Lord has won over the years and his large international following. In places like Hong Kong and Australia DJ Lord was shown in midst of throngs of fans who are familiar and respect the work he does.

The second documentary is called 'Digitize or Die'. It focuses on the ground breaking work Chuck D has done in the area of Internet technology. It chronicles his battles with the RIAA and their opposition to music downloading. It focuses on the attempts by big corporation including the music industry to stifle and control new technology. More importantly it stresses the importance for innercity folks to be up on the new developments. It's definitly an eye opener as it gives you a much deeper appreciation for the important role Chuck has played over the past few years. Apparently Chuck's accomplishments have not gone unnoticed as he was recently featured on a magazine cover standing between Microsoft mogul Bill Gates and and Apple CEO Steve Jobs.

Look for the DJ Lord documentary to be released in March 2003.. Look for the Chuck D documentary to be shown on TV in the next few weeks.