Hip-Hop for Hope

Noah K called me the other day to promote an upcoming event called Hip-Hop for Hope. Now I love me some hip-hop, but I don’t care for what much of mainstream commercial hip-hop has become. My tastes run to the old school and the underground. I like intelligent, socially conscious rap. That’s why it’s good to see a positive local event like this. Here’s the info from Noah, and be sure to check out his blog.

Hip-Hop for Hope is a benefit concert/community forum/block party aimed towards raising money for the Martin Luther King Jr. charter school in the 9th Ward. HH4H is in its second year… My main objective is to get the word out to blogs and websites, and paper the town because I want a large turnout and a diverse crowd.

As far as artists, they are all hip hop/rap artists from New Orleans. Our headliners are Raw Dizzy (from the 9), Nutt da Kidd (also from the 9), Partners ‘N’ Crime, with KnowOne, Truth Universal, Nomadic Soul, Jimi Clever, Jealous Monk, J-Dubble, Mr Jai, Killa B, 5th Child, Sir Dilla, and Fuego!

Here is the schedule as seen on our website hiphopforhope.org:

Thursday, November 1st: “Homegrown Hip-Hop Benefit” @ Tipitina’s

7pm- 1 pm , $10 Admission. Ages 18 and up.

A concert featuring local Hip-Hop artists and D.J.’s. Proceeds will go towards the Tipitina’s Foundation for a building project lead by a Tulane organization, SAFER (Student Association for a Fair and Equitable Recovery) to help rebuild the homes of local musicians whose houses were destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.

Featuring: Jealous Monk, D.J. Tony Skratchere, D.J. Beverly Skillz, J-Dubble, Mr. Jai, Jimi Clever, Spell Bindarz, live brass bands and more! Tickets for Hip-Hop for Hope 2007 are on sale now at ticketweb.com

Friday, November 2nd: “Community Forum & Hip-Hop Culture Showcase” @ Ashe Cultural Arts Center.

6pm-9pm. Free Admission. All Ages.

A forum featuring speakers and panelists from a variety of backgrounds, including professors, students, community leaders, politicians & artists. Featuring Betty Washington (Hip-Hop Teen Magazine), Dr. Shayne Lee (Tulane University, Sociology), Dr. Sue Weinstein (LSU, English), New Orleans M.C. Truth Universal & many more! Topics include: Hip-Hop and the Community, HIV/AIDS, Education and a variety of issues related to the New Orleans Hip-Hop community. The last hour will feature spoken word, dance and step performances. Sponsored by Ashé Cultural Arts Center & Teach for America.

Saturday, November 3rd: Hip-Hop for Hope Benefit Concert for MLK Jr. Charter School @ Tipitina’s

7pm – 1pm. Admission is $12 for pre-sale and $15 at the door. Ages 18 and up.

The 2nd Annual Benefit Concert will feature the hottest Hip-Hop artists and D.J.s from New Orleans and beyond. All proceeds go towards educational programming at the MLK Jr. Charter School in the 9th Ward. The event will feature raffle prizes, drink specials and a V.I.P. section with gourmet catering.

Featuring:
-Young Money Presents: Raw Dizzy
-Partners n’ Crime w/ special guest D.J. Jubilee
-Nutt Da Kidd
-MediaDarling Records Presents: Know One, the Able Chris, SoapBox
-GrassRoots HipHop Presents: Truth Universal
-Build Up Music Presents: Killa B
-Also featuring Nomadic Souls, Fuego, D.J. EF Cuttin, and many more!

And if any of your readers would like to see more of New Orleans hip-hop artists/music/ and concerts mixed in with my life they can check out johnnybapo.blogspot.com.

Also, I found this page on MySpace at myspace.com/nolahiphopforhope