Actor/Comedian Bill
Cosby and various Hip-Hop artists have joined with Ras Baraka, Deputy Mayor of
Newark, New Jersey, to launch Hip-Hop for the P.E.O.P.L.E., a national community
service program aimed at underprivileged urban youth.
The mission of
Hip-Hop for the P.E.O.P.L.E. (Providing Education Opportunity, Prosperity and
Life Eternally) is to enlighten inner city youth on the reality of gangs by
tapping into the power of Hip-Hop.
“The concept
of [the] project is to use Hip-Hop as a vehicle to educate on anti-violence
in all forms," Cosby told AllHipHop.com in a statement.
According to Baraka,
Hip-Hop for the P.E.O.P.L.E is meant to build on the peace treaty that The City
of Newark negotiated between the Bloods and Crips in May 2001.
The program’s
objective is to prevent violence caused by recent surges in gang activity in
the East Coast.
“The City
of Newark appreciates Dr. Cosby’s support in our on-going efforts to combat
gang violence and to take back our communities,” said Baraka. “Through
Hip-Hop, there is no denying that we will get our message across to the youth.”
Hip-Hop for the
P.E.O.P.L.E utilizes the forums of music and film to reach out to and educate
youth.
In addition to
a documentary depicting the poverty and oppression that exists in the Hip-Hop
generation, the program plans to release a compilation CD in early 2005.
New Jersey-bred
Hip-Hop artists Queen Latifah, Wyclef Jean, Rah Digga, Redman and Treach of
Naughty by Nature are set to contribute to the documentary and CD.
Hip-Hop for the
P.E.O.P.L.E recently released a mixtape featuring local New Jersey artists—Skully,
Money Green, Jace, Alcatraz, Love and Kandi Kane among others.
Black 45 and Biz
Markie DJ/Producer Cool V serve as production coordinators for the project.
