HIP HOP VS. AMERICA II

NEW YORK – June 17, 2008 – On Wednesday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m..* BET News premieres the second installment of its popular town hall series, HIP HOP VS. AMERICA II: WHERE DID THE LOVE GO?, a no-holds-barred discussion focusing on music videos, misogyny within the hip-hop culture, race vs. gender, the strained relationships between black men and women and the media’s role in shaping the perception of African Americans. Hip-hop culture and controversy have always made for familiar bedfellows, and with this special, BET News provides viewers with a forum to address some of the most pressing issues facing the Black community today.

Hosted by BET News correspondent Jeff Johnson and hip hop pioneer MC Lyte, this primetime special provides a platform for a heated debate that aims to uncover the cause and effect of relationships between Black men and women. This three-part special features a passionate, lively and opinionated debate that tackles many sensitive issues, including:

* the images of women on television, particularly in music videos;
* sins of sexism;
* a segment about “What’s love got to do with it?” to explore if this current climate further erodes the familial structure;
* a segment “Am I my sister’s keeper?” featuring an all-female panel that cuts across generational, socioeconomic and cultural lines;
* race vs. gender; and
* the role the media plays in shaping American and international perceptions of Black women.

Participants in HIP HOP VS. AMERICA II include David Banner (rapper/producer); Lil X (director); Talib Kweli (hip hop recording artist); Lyfe Jennings (R&B recording artist); Lola Ogunnaike (journalist); Allison Samuels (Newsweek magazine); Nelson George (author/director/producer); Kevin Powell (writer/cultural critic); Michael Eric Dyson (author/professor, Georgetown University); Deelishis London Charles (winner, Flavor of Love 2); Angel Lola Love (video model/actress); Kim Osorio (author); Fershgenet Melaku (video model/actress); Michaela Angela Davis (journalist); Esther Armah (BBC journalist); Eugene Rivers (Christian activist); Clayton Gavin (hip hop artist/activist); Marc Lamont Hill (professor, Temple University); Melissa Harris Lacewell (professor, Princeton University); Lavonne Alford (recording artist); Beverly Bond (founder, Black Girls Rock, Inc. / hip hop DJ); Moya Bailey (activist/actor); Byron Hurt (filmmaker); Henry Bonsu (journalist); Akosua Anobil-Dodoo (journalist); LaShawna Stanley (President/CEO, Ethnicity Models); Ali LeRoi (producer/writer/director); M1 Dead Prez (hip hop artist/activist); and San Francisco District Attorney Kamala Harris.

Part I premieres Wednesday, June 25 at 8:00 p.m. with the second hour airing on Thursday, June 26 at 8:00 p.m.(EST)

2008 BET Awards

NEW YORK, June 3 – Actor and comedian D.L. Hughley will take the reins as the host of BET AWARDS ’08. Tagged as “the hottest ticket on television,” BET AWARDS ’08 is raising the stakes as the biggest stars in music, sports and entertainment unite under one roof at Los Angeles’ historic Shrine Auditorium on Tuesday, June 24 at 8:00 p.m. Continuing in its landmark tradition, BET AWARDS ’08 will feature LIVE performances by some of today’s hottest artists, including Usher, Lil Wayne and Nelly.

Star lineup include:

Alicia Keys, Chris Brown, Kanye West and Young Jeezy Will Join Previously Announced Performers Usher, Lil Wayne and Nelly for ‘The Hottest Ticket on Television’
Legendary R&B Icon Al Green to Receive BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award and Celebrated Producer/Arranger/Composer Quincy Jones Set for BET’s Humanitarian Award

Tampa Bay Caribbean Carnival

The 16th Annual Caribbean Carnival comes to Vinoy Park ( Downtown St. Petersburg, FL )

June 14 – 15, 2008

Scheduled to perform:

Queen Ivy
Collie Buddz
Impulse Band
Latin League
Bungi Garlin & the Asylum Band
Faye Ann Lyons
Hunter
Leon Coldero & Code 868
Tony Wylie & Island

Also at the West Tampa Convention Center on Saturday, June 14, 2008

( 3005 West Columbus Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 )

Byron Lee & the Dragonaires
Ghetto Flex
Roger George
Leon Coldero & Cod 868

Reggaefest – New York City – June 14, 2008

NEW YORK – The 11th Annual JamRock Magazine ReggaeFest will take place Saturday, June, 14, 2008.

Hammerstein Ballroom
311 West 34th Street
New York City

Doors open at 6pm

Show starts at 7:30pm

Artist scheduled to perform:

Beenie Man
Sanchez
Kymani Marley
Third World
Etana
Chris Martin
Demarco
Ce’ Cile
Assassin
Mr. Vegas

You can purchase tickets for this event directly by clicking on the Ticketmaster Link

Essence Festival 2008 – July 4-6, 2008

Friday, July 4th

J. Holiday
Rihanna
Chris Brown
Kanye West

Saturday, July 5th

Musiq
LL Cool J
Jill Scott
Pattie LaBelle

Sunday, July 6th

Morris Day
Keyshia Cole
Chris Rock
Mary J. Blige

Superlounge Artists

Friday, July 4th
BIG SAM’S FUNKY NATION FEATURING NEW ORLEANS FUNK AND SOUL EXPLOSION
TERENCE BLANCHARD
PEABO BRYSON
GIL SCOTT-HERON
GRANDMASTER FLASH
MINT CONDITION
REBIRTH BRASS BAND
CHRISTIAN SCOTT

Saturday, July 5th
IRVIN MAYFIELD JAZZ ORCHESTRA
LYFE JENNINGS
KERMIT RUFFINS BAND
SOLANGE KNOWLES
LEDISI
CUPID

Sunday, July 6th
RAHEEM DEVAUGHN
CHRISETTE MICHELE
NICOLAS PAYTON
PRESERVATION JAZZ HALL BAND’S GOSPEL REVIVAL
IRMA THOMAS

*Performance times and schedules are subject to change without notice