This weekend, the Nation of Islam will celebrate its 86th year of existence in North America during its annual Saviours Day Convention this weekend in Detroit, Michigan.
This year’s Saviours Day comes on the heels of The Nation of Islam’s “Justice or Else!” march in Washington, D.C. last October, which drew a million people commemorating the original Million Man March. It was there that Minister Farrakhan called for and sparked an economic boycott of Black Friday shopping and Christmas. In addition to workshops, panels and other public events, Minister Farrakhan will deliver his annual speech.
This year the keynote is titled “Divine Instructions: Commands for 2016.”
“There are a lot of people who have listened to me for generations, and some of them were bold enough to say ‘we’re tired of speeches Farrakhan. I don’t want to hear one more speech.’ As I heard such criticism and thoughts, I said, ‘you know everything that needs to be said, I’ve said it. It’s now not things to say, it is things to do” – Minister Farrakhan
Part of “Divine Instructions: Commands for 2016” will be directed squarely at the Hip-Hop community. Minister Farrakhan has long-held the belief that rightly guided Hip-Hop could lead the world’s youth toward liberation.
The Nation and the Minister have also been involved in deescalating several of rap’s biggest conflicts, including the so-called “East Coast/West Coast” wars, as well as the Ja Rule/50 Cent beef.
Over the years, numerous rappers have supported the Nation of Islam and their efforts, including Jay Z, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg and T.I. Some of the genre’s biggest names from Detroit and nationwide are expected to attend the events this weekend.
Minister Farrakhan will also discuss the importance of the upcoming elections in light of the Islamaphobia being spewed by Republican candidates like Donald Trump and Ted Cruz during the keynote.
Minister Farrakhan’s “Divine Instructions: Commands for 2016” keynote will take place at the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit at 2:00 PM EST. The speech will also be viewed in over 190 cities in the United States, Europe and the Caribbean. For more information click here.
Here are five Hip-Hop songs that reference The Nation of Islam:
“The Curse of Mayweather” – Jay Electronica
“Who’s Gonna Take The Weight” – Gangstarr
“Farrakhan” – Nas
“All Day” – Kanye West
“Young Gifted and Black” – Jadakiss
Out of respect!!!:
“Young Gifted and Black” – Big Daddy Kane