The Black August Hip Hop Project will produce its 11th Annual Benefit Concert at Nokia Theatre on August 31st. This year’s show will center on human rights violations incurred through gentrification and police brutality in the U.S. With special surprise guests still to come, confirmed artists include soul sensation Bilal, hip hop acts KRS-One, EPMD, Smif N Wessun, Immortal Technique, and Black Moon along with hip hop DJs Marley Marl, Scratch, Evil Dee, Op and K-Salaam.
A project of the Malcolm Grassroots Movement, Black August is one of many endeavors to galvanize younger generations around news and issues affecting the Black community. In addition to the NYC concerts, organizers have also facilitated international delegations and massive concerts in Cuba, South Africa, Tanzania, Brazil, and Venezuela.
Largely respected for its ability to spread social justice awareness and raise money for U.S. political prisoners, the show has been supported in the past with performances by Erykah Badu, hip hop notables Common, Talib Kweli, The Roots, Mos Def, Gil Scott Heron, Fat Joe and dead prez.
“The Black August Hip Hop Project has been a great way to communicate the importance of supporting political prisoners in the U.S. and the issues our people face locally and all around the globe, says Black August Co-Chair Tamir Z. Brown. “It has cleaned up some of the negativity associated with hip-hop and shows that we are self-determined and self-sufficient.â€
Having packed out some of New York’s premiere venues with star-studded performances, the Black August concert has become a yearly staple for tri-state hip-hop enthusiasts and activists alike.
Continuing in its tradition, the 11th Annual Black August Hip Hop Concert promises to be an evening of unforgettable performances and special surprise guests. Tickets are currently on sale and can be purchased at the Nokia Theatre Box Office (1515 Broadway New York, NY) and at www.ticketmaster.com.
The Black August Hip-Hop Project was created by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement in 1998 as a celebration of culture and politics. The goal of the Black August Hip Hop Project is to utilize the unique platform given to us by hip-hop to inform our collective struggle for a more just and equitable world that will support self-determination and freedom for those of African descent around the world. The project strives to promote awareness of social justice issues through its international artists/activists exchanges and annual fundraiser concerts.
For more information on Black August and to view archive footage of past shows please visit www.blackaugust.com.
