Martin Luther King III Supports Hip-Hop Star KRS One’s Stop The Violence Movement
“We are in a state of emergency - school shootings, nooses being hung from trees, domestic violence, gang violence, police brutality and war,” said KRS One. “In the midst of mass turmoil we cannot afford to stand still. It is most appropriate that I announce the revitalization of the Stop The Violence Movement as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.’s 79th birthday. We will carry the torch of his powerful nonviolent actions toward peace and unity.”
KRS One is calling upon the global Hip Hop community to take responsibility for the way in which conflict is resolved. Among a multitude of leaders, he has enlisted King’s son, Martin Luther King III, a social activist in his own right.
Can this generation put the same amount of time and energy into a, “Stop The Violence Movement,” as the last? I think this generation is lazy and doesn’t have the same care about issues. The fact that this generation hasn’t gone through the same struggles and have had things given to us makes us not as motivated. Nonetheless it is good to see people trying to make an effort.
More info on the organization is below
“KRS One’s revitalization of this movement comes at a time when it is direly needed. He, along with the other exceptional artists involved, demonstrates that Hip Hop is a part of the solution,” said Martin Luther King III. “I stand behind STVM’s mission to execute programs that will create awareness while producing positive results in our communities.”
Our Mission: The STVM is a non-profit organization deeply rooted in the Hip Hop community with a mission to advance an ongoing series of movements to diminish global violence through education, critical dialogue, grassroots organizing and direct action. The STVM achieves its mission by providing organized programs, lecture tours, concerts, workshops, symposiums and media campaigns that heighten the awareness of the effects of violence, creating multi-generational dialogue and supplying parent and youth oriented educational tools for conflict resolution.
Who is Involved?: “Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it,” said Bertolt Brecht. The arts yield a powerful influence on our collective culture. We are a collective of artists, activists, entertainers and educators who understand that we are powerful role models. We are taking responsibility. We intend to combine the power of the media and the arts to create our “hammer” so that we may shape our reality, a non-violent reality.
Celebrities involved with the STVM include: 50 Cent, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Busta Rhymes, Cassidy, Channel Live, Chingy, Daddy-O, Doug E. Fresh, Dr. Cornell West, Fat Joe, Immortal Technique, Just Ice, KRS-One, Lil’Wayne, Ludacris, Martin Luther King III, Melle Mel, Pastor Troy, Courtney Brown, Rick Ross, Smoothe da Hustler, Talib K weli, Whodini, Tai Phoenix, Lin Que and Zulu Nation
Twenty-five year old rap artist Lil’ Wayne, part of the new generation of STVM supporters asks the community to, “Start listening, start thinking, start moving and stop the violence. You can get so far ahead without it. I promise, if you don’t believe me, I’ll be your example.”
The STVM is calling upon fellow celebrities to take action! We are calling upon the mass media to address the images they put forth! We are calling on YOU to take action in your community! We are calling for balance! Balance within ourselves, balance in the media, in our communities, in the world. We must STOP THE VIOLENCE!
Additional STVM information can be obtained at www.STVMovement.org beginning January 21st.
Suggestion Box
January 21st, 2008 at 5:37 pm
“Celebrities involved with the STOP THE VIOLENCE MOVEMENT include: 50 Cent. . .”
I STOPPED READING THERE ^
January 21st, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Yo y the fuck im the first to comment this shit is disgusting bet if it was a jayz post there would be 189 comments by but without martin luhter jr jayz would be able to only appeal to white peolpe notice how ur prideful”king” didnt even think dr. king message was important enough to commerate that’s alright tho he a sellout anyway
January 21st, 2008 at 5:45 pm
YO REAL TALK, GOOD POST, BIG UPS AND BIG RESPECTS TO MLK WISH YOU COULD BE HERE ONCE AGAIN.
PLEASE HOOK US UP WITH A UNSIGNED HYPE SPOT REALTALK PLEASE:
(WDH/BG - Street Story Music Video)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmYf5h2RF2E
CA/QC/MTL/THE HOOD
WE SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER AND WOULD HIGHLY APPRECIATE A SPOT, THANKS.
January 21st, 2008 at 6:32 pm
R.I .P -DR KING WE LOVE U FOREVA FOR ALL U DID FOR US AS A PEOPLE….u know its sad dat we resolve our conflicts in a violent way even i have been and still am part of da problem but DR KING if u cud only see how we as a people are now….
we have a greater chance of being murdered by our own people we are truly lost how I wish YOU, MALCOLM, HUEY, ELIJAH, STOKELY WERE still here WE NEED UPLIFTMENT THRU KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING, WISDOM….instead we are fed ignorance and death by our own kind workin for da man…we are LOST who will MAKE US FOUND
January 21st, 2008 at 6:39 pm
I think its a good thing all these “gangstas” join, but will they follow the cause and act on it or was it just a great photo opp? n what is wheezl talking about?
January 21st, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Gets no hypocritical then a rapper. Well, politican.
January 22nd, 2008 at 12:47 am
i think minorities could prosper in this society the only problem is we’re constantly killing, shooting, selling drugs and trying hard to be fly. if we can invest the same amount of energy that we use for negatives such as killing, shooting, selling drugs and trying hard to be fly, lord knows what we can accomplish. but minorities perfer to live the hood life without taking opportunities to live a better life.
thats why i believe no matter how much special programs or leeways minorities get, we will still be at the bottom of society while the white man laughs, cause that “hood syht” seems to be the best thing life has to offer. what we’re witnessing today is modern day genocide with all the killings and shootings. at this rate 110 years from now minorities might be extinct.
February 12th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
KRS One: Hip Hop’s Leading Light
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2008
Undoubtedly one of the most respected artists in the music industry, KRS One’s 20-year career demonstrates not only longevity, but true and lasting leadership as well. Critical of materialism and immaturity in Hip Hop, KRS One continuously puts his money (and his work) where his mouth is.
Photo Credit: http://www.iversonphotography.com
Activism
Over the last five months, KRS One has met with influential institutions on behalf of the Hip Hop community to discuss the culture’s public image and urge content providers to instate positive change. Dynamic meetings have occurred with BET’s Senior VP of Music Programming and Talent, Steven Hill as well as Matt Smith of the network’s Rap City program. He has also held meetings with representatives from VH1 and MTV. KRS One also participated in a prestigious panel discussion with FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin and spoke at length with Koch Records President Alan Grunblatt and Jeff Harleston at Geffen Records about the need for the decriminalization of Hip Hop.
Stop The Violence Movement Recording Project
While music’s elite schmoozed and boozed for Los Angeles Grammy Week, KRS One focused his energy on curbing violence in American society. A leader among leaders, KRS One focused his influence to confirm vocal contributions from 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Cassidy, Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Lil Mama, Talib Kweli and MC Lyte for a recording project benefiting his newly revitalized Stop the Violence Movement. Building on support from these artists, KRS One locked himself into the Los Angeles Recording School for three days of sessions February 7-9. Nelly, David Banner, The Game, Chamillionaire and 55 other artists joined the legendary artist/activist over the weekend as he produced a historic audio and video recording for the Stop the Violence Movement. KRS One also welcomed cornerstones of the LA underground like 2Mex (Visionaries), Rakaa Iriscience (Dilated Peoples) and Planet Asia, demonstrating a true connection to community through the three days of recording sessions, which also included Raheem DeVaughn. The resulting music project will be distributed through the Stop the Violence Movement to promote peace and non-violent means of conflict resolution. Get your teaser copy on Monday February 18th.
http://www.myspace.com/templeofhiphop
http://www.stvmovement.org
For KRS One Information & Interviews:
morgan@othernight.com
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Morgan Wells