Vibe.com, July 11th, 2005
The initiative has signed onto support the 8th Annual Black August Hip Hop Benefit Concert as a media sponsor, and in turn the theme for the New York and Tanzania, East Africa shows, will highlight HIV/AIDS prevention awareness, as attendees will receive HIV/AIDS resource materials and view public service announcements by KNOW HIV/AIDS throughout the show. Black Moon, Smif N Wessun and a growing list of hip hop artists are slated to take the stage at the annual event which highlights human and civil rights issues close to the hip hop community including political prisoners in the U.S., education reform, the voting rights of parolees and police brutality.
In the past, Fat Joe, David Banner, Dave Chappelle, Erykah Badu, The Roots and Common have taken the stage at no cost to the organization, to support the cause.
“With the number of HIV/AIDS cases in the US recently hitting the one million mark for the first time since the 1980’s and the overwhelmingly rapid spread of HIV/AIDS related deaths among youth in Africa, it’s imperative that we assist in reaching out to as many young people as possible, especially in the Hip Hop community to make them aware of HIV/AIDS and the necessity of prevention,” said Black August concert co-coordinator Meron Wondwosen. “We are happy to have the KNOW HIV/AIDS Initiative on board with our efforts this year.”
The New York show will take place on August 7 at B.B. King Blues Club in Times Square while shows abroad will be held in Dar es Salaam and Arusha, Tanzania in East Africa on August 18 and 20. Tickets for the New York show can be purchased via Ticketmaster.
