It looks like Dead Prez is representing hip-hop and making the news at this week’s Democratic National Convention in Denver. Above is a video from a Denver rally shot by Democracy Now - featuring an interview with Dead Prez on the war, voting and hip-hop. After the break is footage of the group’s involvement in an anti-war protest on the steps of Colorado’s State Capital building. (more…)

K-Salaam and Dead Prez go behind the scenes to Flatbush BK to remember the life of Marquis Hardmon, the young Brother whom Dead Prez wrote about in the song “Fallen Soldierz.” The song is featured on K-Salaam & Beatnick’s forthcoming album titled “Whose World Is This?” The album will be available everywhere on July 29tth through VP Records/Universal.

A People’s Peace Conference, entitled “The Grassroots Speak” and focused on the war against poor and oppressed people at home and abroad, will be held on Jan. 19 at Rutgers Law School in Newark, N.J.

The conference is being sponsored by the Peace and Justice Coalition, a year-old formation of more than 120 organizations working to end the war and promote social, racial, economic, health and environmental justice. (more…)

The J.A.M. Awards are the first awards in the hip-hop community to recognize social responsibility. The awards will honor the late Jam Master Jay’s life and legacy and his efforts to promote social Justice, Arts and Music (”J.A.M.”) worldwide.

One honoree will be selected every year from each of the fields of social Justice, the Arts and Music, based on the impact they have made and their record of helping others. The inaugural J.A.M. Awards will be launched at a star-studded tribute concert held in honor of Jam Master Jay and hosted by his wife. (more…)

Stic.Man, of the underground hip hop duo Dead Prez is releasing his highly anticipated solo album ‘Manhood’ on November 30th; following in the footsteps of his hip hop companion M1 (the other member of Dead Prez) who released his solo album ‘Confidential’ in April of ’06.

Alongside hip hop rappers Khujo Goodie, Dead Prez’ M1, Young Noble (of Tupac’s (2Pac) Outlawz, and vocalist Crystal Johnson and others, Manhood blends rapping, soulful singing, diverse hard core beats, live instrumentation, style and substance. (more…)

Students at dozens of campuses across the country walked out of classes October 1 in support of the Jena 6. The walk-out was organized by hip-hop artists Mos Def, M1 and Talib Kweli, the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Change the Game, the National Hip Hop Political Convention and activists from 25 college campuses.

The anger at the plight of the six–and more generally at racism in communities across the U.S.–could be seen in the walkouts. (more…)

Artist/ Activist Mos Def along with M1, Talib Kweli, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Sankofa Community Empowerment, Change the Game, National Hip Hop Political Convention, Hip Hop Association, and student leaders from 50 campuses call for a National Student Walk-Out to rally and show support for the Jena 6, who are being denied their human rights by the Louisiana criminal justice system.

Mos Def is asking students worldwide to assist in the fight against racial injustice and show solidarity for these young people, who have been treated unequally by the law. The prosecution of these young men symbolizes a terrible miscarriage of justice, by punishing students who opposed segregation in their schools and disregarding the threatening acts of others who advocate it. (more…)

Three words personify M-1 of Dead Prez in view of his performance during the WaPi (Words and Pictures) gala at the British Council on Saturday: Revolutionary but Gangster! The monthly event is a platform that celebrates graffiti artists, poets, writers, spoken word artists, creative artists and progressive musicians.

Flanked by Umi, a like-minded affiliate of his larger hip-hop outfit, (P.O.W)/RBG family, M-1 gave Kenyan hip-hop fans a rare experience of an electrifying live show by an internationally acclaimed underground hip-hop group. Their characteristic raps laced with radical messages of cultural, social and political revolution, inspired many of the young fans in attendance with a need to raise their consciousness. (more…)