SHAKIRA HOLDS CONCERT TO PROMPT HOSTAGE RELEASE.

Pop superstar SHAKIRA will vocalise her effort to free hostages held by a Colombian rebel group - when she performs in her native country on Sunday (20Jul08). The sexy singer met with recently-released FARC (Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia) captive Ingrid Betancourt - a former Colombian presidential candidate - on Wednesday (16Jul08) to raise awareness of her plight.

Shakira will join Colombian pop star Carlos Vives for the Independence Day concert.The event is aimed at pressuring FARC - recognised as a terrorist group by the Colombian government - to release its estimated 700 prisoners.

Hear what the kids are saying about theTupac Foundation Arts Camp.

Some of you remember me hosting the 2005 Oscar Red Carpet part for TuPac's nomination for his documentary "Ressurection." I got very close to the Shakur family, Set his sister, Afeni his mom and Tre Maxie the head of the Tupac Foundation. Yvette Bacote , Mrs Shakur's right hand Super Assistant sent me this newly uploaded videos about what the kids are saying about the Camp. Oakland Leadership & Arts Camp was held at the Arroyo Viejo Recreation Center from June 16th thru June 27th from 1pm - 4pm.

On June 28 showing off all that the students learned during the camp. It was a great success! Family & Friends Day was held at & sponsored by Youth Uprising. There were approximately 100 people in attendance. Guests were served barbeque food and refreshments. $155 was collected in donations. Students performed and received Pac's Kids/Family Tree Certificates of Completion. In addition, Youth Uprising was given a 2Pac Deluxe Plaque on behalf of Mrs. Shakur-Davis and TASF.

These camps began in Atlanta and have moved to other U.S cities. Great job, Afeni, Yvette and Tre. Visit the Tupac Foundation site here.

EJCC TO LAUNCH "GREEN" CAMPAIGN WITH RAPPER COOLIO AND JAZZ SAXOPHONIST JAREZ.

Rapper COOLIO and Jazz Saxophonist, JAREZ, among artists signing on to help engage black youth in the climate change discussion

Rapper/ reality star Coolio and jazz saxophonist, Jarez are among artists recently enlisted as spokespersons for the Environmental Justice and Climate Change's (EJCC) campaign to educate students at Historically Black College and University's (HBCU) about the global warming crisis, EJCC director, Nia Robinson announced today.

"Our goal is to engage a diverse group of African American youth in the fight for climate justice," says Robinson. "Whether they're old school hip-hop fans, jazz enthusiasts, or among the neo-soul crew, we want them focused on climate change. EJCC is pleased to have Coolio and Jarez reaching out to their base to promote environmental sustainability."

The campaign will kickoff July 11, 2008 on "Just Environment," an EJCC sponsored urban talk radio program that will integrate diverse perspectives on environmental issues and underscore EJCC's campaign efforts. Broadcasting weekly at noon on WCLK 91.9, "The Jazz of the City," and live online at www.wclk.com , the the radio show will feature informative discussions of problems and solutions for healthy, sustainable lifestyles. The show is hosted by Na'Taki Osborne Jelks and the jazz stylings of Jarez, from his CD release "To the Top" will provide the musical signature for the show.

The EJCC HBCU Initiative - a partnership with former Vice President Al Gore's Alliance for Climate Protection's "We" campaign - will use unique voices to encourage black youth to engage in the climate change discussion. EJCC will train and organize students on black college campuses to promote the greening of university grounds, grow support for climate justice, and encourage HBCU presidents to sign on to a Presidents Climate Commitment.

"The effects of climate change fall disproportionately on people of color, Indigenous Peoples, and low-income communities," says Robinson. "Black college students must be on the frontlines educating their communities and contributing their voices to the policy debate."Good Job Coolio! Stay tuned for my interview with him about all his projects including the reality show on Oxygen Channel and also the online cooking show and cookbook.

PLIES SETS UP NEW ORGANISATION TO AID THE INCARCERATED.

Rapper PLIES has set up his own non-profit organisation aiming to help cash-strapped convicts cover legal costs. The Big Gates and Plies Power Of Visions will provide funding for legal representation and aid to needy individuals, specifically those who are incarcerated. The organisation will also provide educational forums, classes, workshops, training, opportunities, and other charitable activities aimed at rehabilitated former prisoners Plies hopes his new venture will promote preventative measures aimed at combating re-incarceration in the Tampa and Ft. Myers areas of Florida.

The organisation's first drive will be the Somebody Loves You Scholarship Fund 2008, which is named after the rapper's new song. It is designed specifically for students attending an accredited college or university, who have a parent incarcerated, and who is financially disadvantaged. Two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to one male and one female.

PEARL JAM JOINS FIGHT AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES!

Rockers PEARL JAM are backing a campaign to raise money for patients fighting health insurance companies for payouts. A pre-concert party is being held in Hartford, Connecticut on Friday (27Jun08), ahead of the band's gig there - organised by Advocacy for Patients with Chronic Illness head Jennifer Jaff. Pearl Jam were introduced to the cause by lead guitarist Mike McCready, who has suffered bowel disorder Crohn's Disease for 25 years. Jaff also suffers the disease and is currently fighting her own battle with an insurance company to cover the cost of her treatment.

McCready tells the Hartford Courant newspaper, "Jennifer Jaff is one of the best advocates forpatients I have ever seen. It's super-important for her to fight against the insurance companies that will deny people any kind of coverage for their pre-existing conditions. The work she does is justified, and I just love it.McCready tells the Hartford Courant newspaper, "Jennifer Jaff is one of the best advocates for patients I have ever seen. It's super-important for her to fight against the insurance companies "We live in the greatest country in the world, and I have lived here my entire life, but we need to invest our money back into things that look at a broader scope, not just things that are going to make us money. If people are going to die because some legislation didn't go through, that, to me, is abhorrent.

KELLY ROWLAND TAKES HIV TEST FOR CHARITY.

R&B singer KELLY ROWLAND will undergo a HIV and Aids test in Africa to raise awareness of the deadly diseases - in a bid to try and dissolve the stigma surrounding the illnesses. The former Destiny's Child star decided to visit Nairobi to encourage the country's young people to get tested for the illness, which is rife in the Kenyan capital. Rowland is an ambassador for MTV's Staying Alive Foundation, which aims to reduce discrimination against HIV and Aids victims, and has visited projects in Tanzania and Kenya to promote the charity.

She says, "Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to HIV infection, and it is important for everyone to know their HIV status. "The quicker you know your status, the sooner you can receive treatment if you're HIV+, and reduce the risk of inadvertently infecting future partners."

DECLARE YOUR LOVE DAY: RIHANNA TO LIGHT UP NYC TONITE RED!

RIHANNA has illuminated New York on Thursday (19Jun08) night when she flicked a switch and lights up the city's famous Empire State Building. The R&B beauty is in the Big Apple to promote jeweller Cartier's Declare Your Love Day. To mark the romantic date, Rihanna - who is reportedly dating singer Chris Brown - turned the famous skyline red. Afterwards it was off to the Virgin Megastore to sign her new CD.

Remember last month, ma gurl Mimi lit it up pink and purple.

JANET JACKSON RECEIVES 2008' LISA "LEFT EYE" LOPES AWARD.

Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes Foundation (LLF) hosted events this past weekend that garnered support from artists and the community, while highlighting the humanitarian efforts of legendary entertainer Janet Jackson. LLF held their 2nd Annual Family FUN-Raiser on Fri, June 13 at Malibu Grand Prix in Norcross, GA. The day included arcade games, mini-golf, race. On Saturday, June 14, the 2008' Lisa Lopes Humanitarian Award was presented to Legendary Entertainer Janet Jackson during the 13th Annual Hot 107.9 FM Birthday Bash at Phillips Stadium in Atlanta, GA. Usher, TI, Trina, Soulja Boy, Young Jeezy, Game, and Ludacris were among the many performers at the birthday bash.

Although Janet Jackson could not be on-hand to receive this year's Lisa Lopes award, she accepted the award via video which played during the Award presentation. During her video acceptance, 'Janet thanked everyone for keeping Lisa 'Left Eye' Lopes legacy alive.' Each year, LLF honors an artist that has excelled in music and through on-going community and humanitarian efforts. Janet reflects a global unification through her music and community efforts. She shares unifying traits which Lisa exemplified and the Lopes Foundation mirrors while keeping Lisa's dreams and legacy alive and strong. Past award recipients have been Usher, TI, Ludacris, David Banner and Mase.

Montreal's Rappers Care About Kids Special Fundraising Event For the Montreal Children's Hospital.

This is the promo for the Hustle Hard Fam, Montreal's most accomplished rap trio, invites all members of the press to experience the release of their debut single 'Got That' and to help raise money for the Montreal's Children Hospital. The single was produced and composed by Beat Merchant, Canada's Number One Hip Hop producer. Merchant has worked with the likes of all-star crime drama 'Belly'; Juno Award-winning Canadian R&B and pop singer Keisha Chante; Mario Winans' awe inspiring blend of Gospel and R&B and now Hustle Hard Fam. The ticket cost is $10. All money raised will go towards Montreal Children's Hospital's (MCH) on-goint great work in the community. All Montreal citizen are invited to this event, not just members of the media. Thanks to Publicist Anne Howard for letting us know about a community worthy event like this that changes perceptions of Rappers!

View on YouTube at youtube.com/hustlehardfam

Visit the group on Myspace at www.myspace.com/hustlehardstudios


This is some cool stuff. Rappers doing good for the community! See the entire press release here and read about the events including the tracks you will hear at the event.

Watch T.I perform Community service by talking to kids.

Exclusive Raw footage of T.I. speaking at the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington followed by an exclusive one on one interview with Platinum Rapper T.I. Then please leave a comment over there. Thanks to Fox-5 DC's My Voice DC Lamar Tyler for the link. MyVoice DC is Fox-5's African-American web portal on the site.

REVEREND RUN HELPS BUILD CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND.

Former RUN-DMC star REVEREND RUN has hit the streets of Los Angeles to help build playgrounds for the city's underprivileged children. The star and his wife Justine, who both appear in U.S. reality TV show Run's House, spent Friday (06Jun08) helping to build the play area at the L.A. County Teen Challenge Centre in Lynwood, California. The pair worked alongside workers from non-profit organisation KaBoom! and beverage manufacturer Kool-Aid to install the play area. The rapper, real name Joseph Simmons, tells People.com, "I'm personally committed to bringing families together - at the dinner table, in communities and on playgrounds." Later in the year (08), Simmons will help with similar projects across the U.S. - moving on to Houston, Texas, Atlanta, Georgia and Cleveland, Ohio.

COMMON LAUNCHES LITERACY CAMPAIGN.

Rapper COMMON is encouraging teenagers to read - by promoting a book club for American kids. The Chicago-born star - real name Lonnie Rashid Lynn - is using his Common Ground Foundation to promote The Corner, an online group which aims to encourage teens to discuss literature. It will also feature monthly interviews with celebrity artists who will reveal their favourite books and why reading is so important to them, reports AllHipHop.com.

The Grammy award winner, who stars alongside Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman in upcoming movie Wanted, has a side project writing children's books and is currently the face of the American Library Association (ALA) READ Campaign. He says, "I started the Common Ground Foundation because I wanted to help. Most of all help people to help themselves."

Madonna joins forces with Mike Tyson for charity campaign!

Madonna is joining forces with Mike Tyson for a charity campaign. The pop superstar and the former boxing champion will fly to Malawi, Africa, together to promote awareness of children with HIV and AIDS after meeting at the Cannes Film Festival in France, where they are each promoting their documentary films. A source told Britain's Daily Mirror newspaper: "Madonna thinks Mike is amazing and asked if she could have a private screening of his documentary 'Tyson' while she was in the Riviera. "Mike agreed immediately and offered to do a favour in return.

He has promised to fly with her to Malawi this summer to promote awareness of children with AIDS there." Madonna, 49, produced and narrated the film 'I Am Because We Are', which highlights the plight of Malawi's one million orphans who suffer from the deadly disease. Tyson's biographical feature 'Tyson' documents his colourful past including his drug-taking, the infamous moment when he bit off part of opponent Evander Holyfield's ear during a bout and his incarceration for the rape of a beauty queen, an allegation he has always denied.

PROTECT YOURSELF: Kelly Rowland records an AIDS PSA!

Former DESTINY'S CHILD star KELLY ROWLAND has filmed a new public service announcement aimed at teaching young music fans to practice safe sex and avoid the risks of AIDS.

The Survivor singer has teamed up with cosmetics company The Body Shop to launch the Staying Alive Foundation, which raises HIV/AIDS awareness. In the new ad, which launches this week in America, Rowland says, "Help yourself by knowing the facts, help your friends by sharing the knowledge and help others by breaking down the stigma about these issues. A little effort can make a difference."

FANTASTIC: The Ludacris Foundation turns 5!

Luda and Ciara at the event

Luda and mom Roberta Shields at the event

Me and Ms Roberta Shields (Luda's mom) when I interviewed her in 2004

When Bill O'Reilly managed to convince Pepsi to drop Ludacris from an ad campaign, he proved himself wrong. Ludacris created a foundation to help youth help themselves. At the one year anniversary, I remember interviewing Ms Roberta Shields, his mom about what message she had for O'Reilly! She replied...."5 years from now, watch my son change the world." It's now 5 years and Luda has entertained us in movies, he's on a new upcoming environmental reality show, he's just opened a reastaurant in Atlanta, he visited his old high school where he was previously banned? He has won several industry awards and even more. A couple of days ago, the foundation turned 5 and I wanna say congrats to Ludacris, Ms Roberta and the whole staff of the Ludacris Foundation! More pictures at Sandra's site.

BANNED IN THE PAST: Ludacris returns to his old High School!

UPDATE: That trip went very well with Producer Killer Mike and his cousin-in-law Monica also tagging along. Can you imagine, the Principal used to ban him there!! All photos are on Sandra's website.
Just like I visit schools in the U.S for 10 years talking about SADD (Students against destructive decisions) Some of you gave me that nice award at C.W Jeffreys last winter when I came to your school. It's not all about awards, I have millions of those. It's about giving back.

Rapper-turned-actor LUDACRIS will return to his former high school to give advice to troubled students. On Tuesday (13May08), Ludacris - real name Christopher Bridges - will visit Benjamin Banneker Academic High School in Atlanta, Georgia, to address students about various concerns facing teenagers today, including rape, gang violence and the pressure to sell drugs. According to event organiser Tory Edwards, students have prepared for the ceremony by writing anonymous letters voicing their problems, which will later be placed in a casket and buried.

The star will also plant a tree on the school's campus, which plans to name one of its gymnasiums the Christopher Bridges Gym Of Dreams in the star's honour. The visit will be filmed for a documentary series about the hip-hop star, tentatively titled Behind The Mic. And Bill O'Reilly thinks Rappers like Ludacris are full of bad lyrics..........Above is Luda and I at just the very same place......in a school doing our thing in 2004!