Minneapolis, MN – The Twin Cities are a hotbed for literate, politically-conscious hip-hop, and this Saturday many of the area’s best MCs will face off at “Hip-Hop for the Homeless.” The event serves dual purposes: showcasing a diverse cast of local hip-hop talent and raising money for Youthlink, a local nonprofit organization that works to prevent teen homelessness.

Hip-Hop for the Homeless takes place this Saturday, February 16 at the Triple Rock Social Club. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door. 9 p.m. Ages 18+. (more…)

Karmaloop, the largest online retailer for the streetwear community, has teamed up with Lupe Fiasco to bring you “THE COOL” TSHIRT DESIGN CONTEST.

Inspired by Lupe Fiasco’s current album “The Cool,” applicants are to submit a design that best conveys what’s “cool” to them. The winner will receive $500 Cash and a $500 Karmaloop Gift Certificate for a total value of $1000 in prizes. (more…)

Koch Records recording artist Pikahsso is proud to present the “Pikahsso Helps the Homeless Community Event & Birthday Party” on his birthday, February 1st in Dallas. Instead of birthday gifts, the Dallas-native is asking attendees to bring old shoes, clothes, hats and gloves to the party to be donated to the homeless people in the area.

The “Pikahsso Helps the Homeless Community Event & Birthday Party” will take place at Space Studios, located at 2814 Main Street in the Deep Ellum Arts & Entertainment District east of downtown Dallas. Starting at 9 p.m., this free event will allow people to donate the requested articles of clothing to those less fortunate. (more…)

Haverstraw, NY – A dozen local hip-hop artists put aside thoughts of record platters last night in favor of platters of steaming fried fish, collard greens and sweet potatoes to serve nearly 100 area residents who could use a hot meal.

The artists, who are featured on the hip-hop segment of Polish Radio WRKL 910AM, answered a call from radio personality CT for volunteers to collect coats for needy residents and serve food to the hungry and homeless. The idea, said Christopher “CT” Torres, was to show hip-hop’s bright side. (more…)

Seattle, WA – Thursday night hip-hop took center stage at the University of Washington in a concert to raise awareness about labor unions in Guatemala.

The concert was put on by CHID 496 — Exploring Human Rights Through Music and Dance. The concert lasted from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. in the HUB North Den. The event was free, and the show featured a lineup of local artists. (more…)

Russell Simmons is hanging with an arty crowd lately. The hip-hop mogul, down here Basel-ing, hosted a dinner at The Delano Thursday for his Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, which he cofounded with brothers Danny, a painter, and Joseph, of iconic rap band Run-DMC.

Its goal: to help artists and young people who face adversity. The brothers will host a big fundraiser in Miami Beach April 5. (more…)

The Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation is making the holiday season a little more comfortable for the less fortunate, with its second annual winter coat and can food drive.

The effort, which kicked off Nov. 15, will run through Dec. 15. The Foundation is encouraging the public to donate “slightly worn or new winter coats” and canned food items to the Tupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts in Stone Mountain, GA. (more…)

St. Louis rapper Chingy is giving back to his St. Louis community through his non-profit organization Chingy for Change. The Chingy for Change Foundation supports children that are less fortunate, through scholarships, mentoring programs and other communal activities.

“On Thanksgiving and Christmas we go out and give turkeys and food to the families that can’t afford to have nice Thanksgiving dinners, and on Christmas we go around and give a certain amount of toys to the less fortunate families that probably wont be able to shop and afford to trade gifts,” Chingy told AllHipHop.com. (more…)

Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean was given a hero’s welcome in one of Haiti’s most destitute slums, riding on the shoulders of his cheering countrymen to the site of a small-business project he helped develop.

On his first trip to Haiti since being named a roving ambassador by President Rene Preval in January, the musician met legislators and accompanied Czech model Petra Nemcova to a school in the impoverished neighborhood where he was born. (more…)

From harrowing experiences as a child soldier to international recognition as a hip hop artist, Emmanuel Jal’s life has followed an extraordinary path. At the age of seven, he was taken away to fight with rebel forces in Sudan’s brutal civil war. After his escape, Jal is now working on a new album and documentary about his life.

Watching Jal’s performance on stage, it is hard to imagine his life as a child soldier in the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. (more…)