2008 Black August Concert to Benefit Political Prisoners

The Malcolm X Grassroots Movement is hosting the 2008 Black August benefit concert on August 31st at BB King Blues Club this year.

Every Year, The Black August Hip Hop Project promotes human rights by facilitating exchanges between international communities where Hip Hop is a vital part of youth culture.

Artists donate their talents to raise money for political prisoners. The project has featured artists such as Erykah Badu, David Banner, Common, dead prez, Fat Joe, Jean Grae, Les Nubians, Chuck D, Gil Scott-Heron, Tony Touch, Black Thought, Jeru, The Roots, Mos Def, La Bruha, Talib Kweli, Imani Uzuri, and Dave Chappelle.

Internationally, Black August has facilitated the trips of eight international delegations of artists and activists to Cuba (1998, 1999, 2000, and 2003), South Africa (2001), Tanzania (2005), Brazil (2004, 2006) and Venezuela (2007).

This year's lineup includes Immortal Technique, EPMD, Shadia Mansour, Q-Tip and Bilal. Because B.B. Kings is a previous venue for the project, there will also be local artists popping up as surprise guests. From personal experience at area hip-hop shows, I readily assume Talib, De La, or other Okayplayers will be somewhere in the Building.

B.B. King's is located on West 42nd street between Broadway and 8th Avenue. The show starts at 11:00pm on Sunday, August 31st, 2008 and yes, it is a holiday weekend! I look forward to seeing you all out there, partying for the good of the movement.

SoUrban will be there with bells on, kufis on, Kente on, Nikes on.. and whatever else we feel is fresh- on.

Holler if you see us in the crowd. We tend to buy drinks for people and mail gift packs to supporters of the ever-fresh, SoUrban.net.