New Haven, CT – When Edo. G told hundreds of teenagers to respect the police, there were some audible snickers. Then he started rapping. Pretty soon the auditorium full of high-school students was on their feet with hands in the air, nodding their heads to as he preached nonviolence.

Hip-hop artist Edo. G, known offstage as Ed Anderson, performed at Yale on Wednesday along with another members of the Boston-based rap group, 4Peace. High school students from six southern Connecticut towns — including several New Haven high schools — filled Yale’s Woolsey Hall to hear Edo.G and his partner Twice Thou, a.k.a. Antonio Ennis. Through video, music, and questions and answers, the pair of rappers sent a message: stay away from guns and violence, or end up in jail. (more…)

If you are in the NYC area, you should check out this show next week. It features an open mic battle, beat boxer battle, and freestyle competition, plus a bunch of acts. Headlining will be the New World Side Order, who is releasing their new EP/DVD, and the entire show will be broadcast live worldwide at www.ChillyS.tv.

For more on NWSO, check out their music videos for Dollaz Outta Dimez, The Beginning of the End, and Spiders, Roaches, Bed Bugs Etc.

San Bernadino, CA – Tech N9ne understands fans attending the independent hip-hop Paid Dues Festival might not be used to a performer like him with an eclectic mix of hip-hop, rock and energy headlining the bill. “I’m the one ridiculed like `oh he paints his face.’ I don’t think people take to that,” Tech N9ne said in a recent interview. “But I do my thing. My world is getting bigger.”

Besides Tech N9ne, Atmosphere, Living Legends, B-Real from Cypress Hill, Brother Ali, Blu & Exile, Slaughterhouse and other groups will perform Saturday. (more…)

San Francisco, CA – Rapper/activist Paris’ Guerrilla Funk Touring and Promotions, LLC officially launches this year’s biggest hip-hop concert series, the Hard Truth Soldiers Tour 2009, on May 1st in Eureka, CA.

Boasting an impressive 45-city schedule, the tour is not only noteworthy for its scope, but for its lineup of today’s most focused and socially aware hardcore hip-hop talent – talent which includes Paris, dead prez, Immortal Technique, Talib Kweli, Kam, Pete Rock, Planet Asia, T-K.A.S.H., The Conscious Daughters, Uno the Prophet, Jasiri X, NYOil, Sellassie and guest performers in select cities. (more…)

This is some funny ass shit. B. Dolan is a rapper/poet/performance artist that runs with Strange Famous Records. This video is a compilation of footage from B.’s Evel Knievel tribute – which he peformed at the Paid Dues festival. If you like this type of spoken word performance, check out B. Dolan’s album “The Failure.”

In 2004, Barack Obama arrived in Boston as a freshman senator from Illinois to give the keynote speech at the Democratic National Convention. Tomorrow, three of the city’s biggest hip-hop representatives hope to usher in his presidency. Edo G, Slaine and Akrobatik will take the stage at the Middle East with beats, rhymes and hope for an Obama victory at an Election Day concert tomorrow night.

“No politician in my lifetime ever inspired me as much as Obama,” said South Boston native Slaine – one-third of Boston rhyme squad Special Teamz, which also includes Edo G. “He’s our generation’s JFK or Bobby Kennedy. He’s a culmination of Martin Luther King and all these things that have been shut out of politics.” (more…)

I guess Aesop Rock put on a free show at McCarren Park in Williamsburg yesterday – and I missed it. Good looks to Def Jux for posting a couple videos. Above is Aes performing Labor from “Labor Days,” and after the break is Coffee from “None Shall Pass.” (more…)

Dallas, TX – Change is necessary for forward movement and growth, and next month that movement means survival as Dallas Mayor Pro-Tem Dwaine Caraway, Radio One’s Rickey Smiley, KBFB 97.9 The Beat, the City of Dallas and The MLK, Jr. Family Clinic launch an initiative to educate the community on the epidemic of HIV/AIDS.

According to news sources, the first Hip Hop for HIV concert will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Sept. 14 on the steps of Dallas City Hall, 1500 Marilla St. The goal of the event is to increase awareness, alleviate the fear associated with HIV/AIDS, and encourage everyone to know your status and help eradicate the spread of the disease. (more…)

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. (more…)