Press Release: 4th Annual Hip-Hop for Hope Benefit Concert Announced
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Ben Brubaker
504.615.2844
ben@hiphopforhope.org
New Orleans’ Hip-hop for Hope, Soundclash, and Grassroots present HIP-HOP FOR HOPE 2009
NEW ORLEANS –– On November 14th, 2009 New Orleans Hip-Hop for Hope will partner with Soundclash and Grassroots! to host HIP-HOP FOR HOPE 2009 at Tipitina’s Uptown, to benefit the Roots of Music program (www.rootsofmusic.org), 2-Cent Entertainment’s “Change We Can Create” Summer Program (www.2-Cent.com) and the Benjamin Foundation. Hip-Hop for Hope’s annual benefit concert has raised over $19,000 in the past three years for various educational programs in New Orleans.
This year, the fundraising aims directly at the role of music in education. The Roots of Music program is run by Rebirth Brass Band’s own Derrick Tabb, currently nominated for a CNN Hero’s award for his efforts. The program provides music education in history, theory, instrumental instruction and ensemble performance. Furthermore, academic tutoring is offered to ensure the students maintain at least a 2.5 GPA in school. 2-Cent Entertainment’s “Change We Can Create” Summer Program empowers students through a 7-week mentorship program, while they learn how to express their voices on a variety of issues through video production. The Benjamin Foundation supports a non-profit summer camp run by Q93’s own Wild Wayne, with the mission to “get kids off the streets and provide them with academic enhancement, guidance, direction, culture, experiences and love.”
Hip-hop for Hope is more than just a benefit concert and an organization; it is a shared vision for a better future. Hip-Hop for Hope seeks to provide a forum for raising awareness about important community issues and as a means to raise money for education in New Orleans. This not-for-profit event is focused on building community through the music and culture of New Orleans Hip-Hop, by providing a forum for expression and an avenue for contributing back to the community.
WHEN:
Saturday, November 14th, 2009
9:00p.m. - 1:00a.m.
WHERE:
Tipitina’s Uptown
501 Napoleon Ave
New Orleans, LA. 70115
2-Cent Presents... "a Change We Can Create"...
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New Orleans Rapper "Dee-1" Announced as the Hip-Hop for Hope Artist Spokesperson 2009
New Orleans Hip-hop for Hope is proud to announce its first ever "Artist Spokesperson" to represent the organization, New Orleans rapper and middle school teacher, Dee-1.
As the Artist Spokesperson for New Orleans Hip-Hop for Hope, Dee-1 will serve as our organization's representative through speaking engagements, performances and special appearances. Dee-1 was selected as the 2009 Artist Spokesperson because the staff and organization members agree that he exemplifies the Hip-Hop for Hope commitment to New Orleans youth, through education, community, and the arts.
Dee-1 Biography:
Penning soon to be thought provoking classics like “Young Obama,” “One Man Army,” & “Queens,” Dee-1 is one of a small number of Hip-Hop artists that specialize in making music that has a positive and uplifting message while still appealing to the masses. Growing up in New Orleans, home of the likes of Lil’ Wayne, Soulja Slim, B.G. and The Birdman, Dee-1 admits to being exposed to the same circumstances as the artists that put New Orleans on the map but is determined to represent "The Big Easy" with a different viewpoint by using inspirational and insightful rhymes in his music.
Strengthening his movement with his independent releases Still We Rise and his current street burner I Am Who I Am, Dee-1 has become a nationally recognized talent with his N'awlins accent, educated rhymes, clever metaphors, and catchy hooks mixed with his playboy swag, reaching beyond the streets of Baton Rouge and N.O.
Dee-1 was featured on the Pepsi Mic Smash video for New Orleans, alongside Master P, Lil’ Romeo, Silkk The Shocker, and Foxx (of Trill Entertainment). The video can be viewed on YouTube under "New Orleans Mic Pass." “Freedom Land,” performed by Dee-1 and a host of up and coming New Orleans MC’s including Lil’ Wayne protégé Mack Maine was also featured prevalently on Allhiphop.com and YouTube.
A Louisiana State University graduate, Dee-1’s philosophy is “Hustle While You Work” as he teaches middle school in Baton Rouge by day. He recently became the first hip-hop artist ever to win the annual Louisiana State University “Battle of the Bands Contest”. The charismatic MC also has performed and collaborated with Dr. Rani G. Whitfield M.D., a.k.a. “Tha Hip-Hop Doc” and frequently mentors kids alongside the board certified physician on the lecture circuit. Dee-1 recognizes that his music resonates with almost anyone “first and foremost because its real”, and, as Dee-1 says “that’s why people from the hood all the way to the classroom to medical school will feel it. Anybody can close their eyes and visualize what I’m talking about because my music deals with life. I talk about the good and the bad because people forget we have fun in the hood too. I can perform in any environment or setting. I feel that’s more of a testimony than just having positive lyrics.”
Dee-1 represents the untapped talent that New Orleans has to offer as he’s created a loyal fan base traveling up and down the Mason Dixon Line. “One Man Army,” the motivational song strapped with Dee-1’s N’awlins dialect uplifts a genre of Hip-Hop social consciousness. Garnering radio play throughout the South with regional smashes including “Rebirth” and “One Many Army” on WEMX 94.1, WEZB 97.1 FM, WQUE 93.3 FM and WJMI 99.7 FM Jamz, Dee-1 is making radio programmers take notice. The combination of raw talent, versatility and N’awlins flavor, has created a cult like following as well as a co-sign from New Orleans’ premier beat maker, Mannie Fresh. Crowned Seagram’s Gin Showcase Champion and performing alongside The Clipse and Mya, Dee-1 is definitely a new voice of a movement to prove that Hip-Hop in its rarest forms is not dead. It is without question that Dee-1 is set to make significant contributions to the music arena.
Most recently, Dee-1 has performed alongside nationally touring acts such as Musiq Soulchild, Juvenile, Baby Boy da Prince and more. In the end of January he will be the headlining the Grammy University 2009 Launch party for the Memphis Chapter of the Grammy Association at Tipitina’s.
New Orleans already knows. Now it’s time for the world to take notice of “The Prince of the 504.”
Get Ready! Dee-1’s TIME IS NOW!!!