Blackstar on Diallo

by - Mos Def

2/29/00 10:47:09 AM

MOS DEF & TALIB KWELI SHOOT BACK FOLLOWING DIALLO VERDICT

NEW YORK, NY- Following the acquittal of the four police officers who killed Amadou Diallo, Rawkus Entertainment artists Mos Def and Talib Kweli respond by remaining on the cutting edge of artist activism. "The saddest thing about this," said Kweli following the verdict," is that IＮ not surprised. This is just further confirmation that Black People in this country have no rights that white people or the government are bound to respect. Still, we must recognize that police brutality is not a Black issue, it is a violation of the rights of human beings everywhere."

In Mos DefＴ comments, he emphasized the fact that one of the aquitted officers, Kenneth Boss, was also involved in the killing of Patrick Bailey in 1997, in which another unarmed man was shot 27 times in Brooklyn. "This took place less than 2 years prior tothe Diallo killing," said Mos Def. "At this rate can we expect the hail of 55 bullets to be unloaded on another New Yorker by next fall? 69 bullets the fall after that? To New Yorkers who feel that this is a "Black" issue, I say this is a HUMAN issue. To those tinkering with the semantics of "crime" and "tragedy," I say what happened that night in the Bronx was both. To people who seek justice, to the Amadou Diallo family, and to everyone who speaks against oppression, I say, FEAR NOT, Allah is the best of judges."

But while the entire country discusses the Diallo verdict, Mos Def and Talib Kweli are responding with both words and actions. The next two weeks will see the release of a new Video and CD maxi-single, the launching of a new foundation, and a benefit concert in California.

Following the tragic killings of Amadou Diallo and Tyesha Miller by police in New York and Los Angeles, Mos Def and Talib Kweli put out a call to the hip-hop community to address the issues of police brutality. Due to the overwhelming response, what was slated to be a single evolved into a four-song maxi-single called "Hip Hop For Respect." The video for the track "One For Love- Pt. 1," featuring Kool G Rap, Pos (De La Soul), Common, Pharoahe Monch, Sporty Thievz, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Rah Digga, Talib Kweli, and Mos Def will be available March 6th. The highly anticipated 'Hip Hop For Respect' project will be released March 21st.

Proceeds from the maxi-single will go to the Hip-Hop For Respect Foundation (HHFRF). HHFRF is a non-profit organization that strives to encourage those who profit from the entertainment industry to accept responsibility and leadership roles in the very communities in which their fan base lives, works and plays. The HHFRF is planning a high school tour and an educational campaign that will focus on instructing youth on what to do and what not to do if stopped by the police. Not since the days of Stop The Violence and We Are The World have so many artists come together to unite, educate and create change. HHFRF will carry that tradition into the new millennium.

In addition, Mos Def and Talib Kweli will be performing with Meshell Ndegeocello and Ozomatli in Santa Cruz, CA on March 3rd in a benefit concert for youth organizations working to defeat Proposition 21, a legislative effort that seeks to increase efforts of police gang units, treat juveniles as adults in court, and further criminalize youth.

For additional information, contact Meridian Entertainment at (201) 521-9742; FAX (201) 521-9745 or email: publicity@planetmeridian.com. Rawkus Entertainment/Devin Roberson 212.358.7890 or mailto:devinr@rawkus.com.