I had the pleasure of attending this year's Center for American Progress' Campus Progress national conference in DC and was struck by what was said during a particular session on Hip Hop. As the front of the room filled with other conference participants, I could hear the buzz of individual conversations about the diversity in the room. The panel included Jeff Johnson (moderator), artist M-1, Billy Wimsatt and Angela Woodson. I've admired these Progressive leaders for years and waited with anticipation for the session ahead.

Now, I'm no festival goer like some of my friends, but sometimes life serves you a layer-cake of awesome so great that you have no choice except to pack up the tent, round up the friends, make a liquor run, hit the road.

Soul Influencer: Nina Simone

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Friday, February 15, 2008
By dream hampton

Besides being the workhorses of a growing young nation, African slaves brought with them their music, art, culture, and food. All modern music can be traced back to roots in slavery and Africa: country, rock, jazz, and especially hip hop. The influences of African artistic expression and shared culture can easily be seen, but what is often looked over are the not so easily recognizable economic influences of African slaves.

This song/video brought tears to my eyes:

 http://www.yeswecansong.com

Dear YP4 Family,

 Spread the word, share the video. History is in the making...

~Amira

This year, 2007, there is some good news about the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The percentage of people living with AIDS has leveled off and the number of new cases has fallen. This is attributed to the prevention programs. However, risk remains high in sub-Saharan Africa. Eight sub-Saharan African countries represent one-third of all new cases and total deaths around the globe. This year there are still 33.2 million people living with AIDS, 2.5 million newly infected, and 2.1 million deaths. (Read the 2007 AIDS epidemic update) As with all good reports, "much good has been done, but more is needed." Events are happening all across the continent with dedication and promises. The theme of this year's World AIDS Day is leadership and "Stop AIDS, Keep the Promise!" While there is a lot of talk (read the statements) already this year about what will be done about the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

According to this article in the Los Angeles Times, AT&T's Lollapalooza webcast went silent when Pearl Jam’s lead singer started to criticize George W. Bush. The company claimed it was an accident, but a crew member has since come forward to say that “at a previous event...the instructions were to shut it down if...anybody starts getting political.”

"We were at a picnic table outside of The Timberland Company talking about how to change the world. High energy.  Lots of ideas thrown around.  That kinda' convo.

What stuck was the thought that music is a powerful force in people's lives - just as much as our desire to live on a cleaner, more humane planet.  So why not combine them?  

Certainly we aren't the only music lovers who want to make the world a better place.  Why not start an organization dedicated to mobilizing the desire of fans to make a positive difference?  So we did.

Good things start from simple conversations.  Great things happen when thoughtful, committed citizens decide that they're going to change the world.  We're lucky to be surrounded by fans, artists, and organizations committed to changing the world.  We are honored to serve alongside them and we invite YOU to join us!"

That's the story of the Concert Corps.  Founded by AmeriCorps members serving with City Year New Hampshire, the Concert Corps unites good music and good people to produce great change.  

Consider yourself invited to the Big Apple Day of Service on July 14 (THIS SATURDAY). Serve at one of nine different projects all over the city, as part of a sold out three-show event at Madison Square Garden to benefit the Dispatch Foundation for Zimbabwe with the college jam-band turned legend: DISPATCH.

Music is truly a powerful tool of action. Many artists recognize this fact and use it to create positive changes. As I sit here listening to my YP4 Summit 2007 soundtrack, thanks to certain download sites and Jamia's excellent selection, I am reading the news of the world, the troubles of the west, the seemingly uncaring western media portayal of the rest of the world, and yet this music hits at my heart. I can feel something inside me getting riled up within as I read about anti-Iraq marches, hunger crisis in Zimbabwe, the rise of hate in politics, the growing conflict with Sudan potentially heading up the African Union, to just name a few. But just reading does me no good, knowledge accompanied by music can incite a riot (I would argue).

I should begin by saying that this weekend has been an amazingly motivating and catalyzing three days, so: thanks.

With that! What I really want to write about here is music.  We've talked this weekend about how "new media" is changing the face of politics.  Fittingly, then, YP4 has been blasting pretty sweet toonz over the loudspeakers.  I've heard London Calling and Lust For Life, both of which are super neato for their deliciously subversive politics.  (Watch out kids! Iggy Pop is on DRUGS!)

However, I've been trying to think about how current artists play into the progressive movement. Hip hop is so vibrant right now: I mean, Timbaland's beats for Justin Timerlake's My Love are INSANE.  So why are so few of the economically successful, superstar MCs so divorced from political engagement?

There are many, many socially conscious MCs AND many, many artists who don't fall into hip hop culture that are extremely politically active.  A mini roll call: Blackalicious, the Coup, Mos Def and Nas in the former with the Ted Leo, Green Day and U2 in the latter.  But where are the Public Enemies, the Tribe Called Quests?  Why are the MCs that I mentioned above underground, "hyper-literate" (and therefore hyper-fringe) artists?

I'm no hip hop head, so am I completely off?  I'm absolutely not trying to write a thesis here, so much as try and think through why I feel that there is a disconnect between the energy of popular culture and the energy that has been radiating from the redonk talented hands that I've been shaking all weekend.  Thoughts?