NEW YORK, N.Y. FEBRUARY 11, 2003 On the eve of when the "Campaign For Respect" was to be launched, an agreement was reached between Pepsi, the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network and the Ludacris Foundation. Pepsi and the Ludacris Foundation having entered into an agreement that will distribute million of dollars in charitable contributions from Pepsi to grass-roots, nonprofit organizations serving the needs of disadvantaged youth throughout the United States. This is a multi-million dollar, multi-year agreement reached late yesterday between the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, Pepsi, and the Ludacris Foundation.

According to Pepsi Public Affairs person Bart Casabona, Pepsi released the following statement today, "We've come to an agreement where the common ground is young people. We're working together on a multi-year, multi-city effort that will encourage kids to express their creativity in the visual and performing arts.

"What we're planning will be an extension of our longstanding community relations and urban marketing programs. We will focus particularly on young people who would not otherwise have the opportunity to get involved in art and music."

Ms. Roberta Fields, the mother of Ludacris and Chair of the Ludacris Foundation, responded: "This agreement with Pepsi will help us help others. We are committed to the empowerment of youth through helping youth help themselves."

Russell Simmons, Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, stated: "Pepsi's commitment should be followed by others in corporate America who desire to empower youth."

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, commented: "The agreement is a victory because it shows that the respect of hip-hop culture must be taken seriously, and the generation of youth today are taking leadership responsibly. Lastly, I'm going to emphasize that the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network will closely monitor the implementation of this agreement."

Other specific details of the agreement will be released at a later date.

In a follow up to the January 14th Community Tribunal that revealed censorship of, and separate standards for Black Music on New York music media, Bob Law of the National Leadership Alliance announced today that a coalition of prominent community leaders, ministers and elected officials including Rev Calvin Butts, Dr Leonard Jeffries, and Rev Richard Ashley, have joined with hip hop activist as well as R&B and hip hop performers, like Chuck D and Dead Prez, in calling for the first major Turn Off The Radio Rally Tuesday February 18.

Charging that New York airwaves that target the Black community are filled with a preponderance of negative, violent, and destructive ideas the coalition of activist, community leaders, and performers will ask the community to on selected days to turn off the radio.

The turn off the radio strategy say’s Law came from the young brothers in the group Dead Prez, "In our conversations with young people in the hip hop community we learned that there is a great deal of music both hip hop and R&B that is positive and nourishing but music radio and music TV simply refuse to play it." The National Leadership Alliance say’s that this programming policy is part of the assault on the spirit and physic of the Black community.

At the rally the organizers will issue an open letter that will articulate the community’s concern and they will announce the first radio off day.

The Turn The Radio Off Rally will be held at 7 PM at Harlem’s noted Abyssinian Baptist Church. 138 street between Adam Powell Jr. and Malcolm X Blvd

People are buzzing about a new book that has hit the stands called New York Ricans from the Hip Hop Zone by Raquel Rivera. It is being hailed as the first book to explore the Puerto Rican dimension of hip-hop. This volume explores the history of hip-hop music from the standpoint of the New York Puerto Rican community, which has been instrumental in its development.

Raquel illustrates in her book how New York Puerto Ricans have been an integral part of hip hop culture since the very beginning: from 1970s pioneers like Rock Steady Crew's Jo-Jo, to recent rap mega-stars Big Punisher and Angie Martinez. Yet, Puerto Rican participation and contributions to hip hop is frequently downplayed, if not completely ignored. When their presence has been acknowledged, it is usually misinterpreted as a defection from Puerto Rican culture and identity into the African American camp. But, Rivera argues nothing could be further from the truth. Through hip-hop, Puerto Ricans have simply stretched the boundaries of Puerto Ricanness and latinidad.

The book breaks down like this...

During the past six months and, in particular during the last 24 hours, there have been attempts to negotiate a just settlement of this dispute. Unfortunately, Pepsi has failed, thus far, to resolve this issue in a manner acceptable to the hip-hop community.

The "Campaign For Respect" will be officially launched a week from today. The HSAN is asking all artists and supporters of hip-hop culture to refrain from supporting Pepsi and all Pepsico products.

The "Campaign For Respect" will continue until Pepsi agrees to do the following:

Warren G continues to push forth with his music career. After a brief stint with Def Jam and later Universal, Warren has now hooked up with Artist Direct. In recent months this label has signed Tha Liks, MC Lyte and King Tee.

Warren is set to release his fith album called 'The G Files: Case #213'. For folks who don't know he's making reference to his area code and his original rap group which included him, Nate Dogg and Snoop.

In a recent interview with the Source Magazine he explained that this new album will let everyone know his life story "Everybody know about the LBC and Warren G and know its time for people to know me and really feel me and tell the history of Warren G and what I’ve contributed to the game". Maybe its me, but I could've sworn his last album detailed his life story...

If you got skillz and your willing to throw down on the mic, be sure to check for the auditions for an upcoming MTV reality show called 'MTV MC Battle'. They plan to search for Hip Hop's next superstar. Carson Daly, La La and DJ Clue will host the new show. The auditions will take place on February 24 from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM at the MTV studios in Times Square. The first 1,000 aspiring MCs will have the chance to "freestyle" in front of a panel of judges comprised of Def Jam representatives and MTV experts. The "MC Battle" will culminate in a two-hour live finale on March 1 (3 p.m.) with eight finalists battling it out.

Common continues to make moves both within and outside of music. In his latest venture, he is set to be featured in a print ad for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). For those who don't know, Common is a vegetarian and the ad will promote meatless eating. The ad shows Common getting ready to chomp into a veggie burger and carries the caption, Think Before You Eat. Go Veg for Life.

While this is good that Common is promoting healthy eating habits, there are some who are wondering if he sends out mixed messages because he just recently did ads for a soda company.