NY Rappers Band Together To Spread A Message

[Damien J.]

An assortment of emerging rappers have banded together to send a message to radio programmers around the country through a nationwide venture.

The effort, known as the Artist to Watch campaign, will officially kick off Wednesday (Dec. 6) at what's billed as the New Big East concert.

Performers include Saigon, Tru Life, Maino, Stack Bundles, Red Café, Jae Millz, Grafh, Littles, J-Hood, and Uncle Murda.

According to Infamous Records senior vice president Littles, the show represents the beginning of a national movement for artists looking to be heard.

"Ultimately, our intention with the Artist To Watch campaign is to bring together the hottest emerging artists in each market and use this platform to show radio that these artists, who they're ignoring on their airwaves, have an audience," said Littles, who organized the concert with promoter Mook Diamond and Best of the Block Inc. "Programmers and music directors have lost sight of the fact that hip-hop didn't come from call-outs, BDS, and Soundscans. Hip-hop gets its heart from the streets and if we're gonna keep the music alive, then radio needs to keep its ear in the streets as well."

The concert will immediately follow the first annual Urban DVD Awards, which is set to begin at 9 p.m. at Club Avalon, 47 West 20th Street, New York.

DJ Camillo and DJ Self will be on the turntables for the ceremony, which will be hosted by Hot 97 FM's DJ Enuff.

The Awards honor urban DVD pioneers in the following categories: Best DVD Documentary, Hottest Street DVD, Most Consistent Artist On A DVD, Hottest biker DVD and Top DVD Street Magazine and The Pusher Award, which recognizes the most consistently sold urban DVD.

Hot 97 personality Dee Vasquez will kick off the concert, which will also feature performances from Yummy and the R&B group Black Buddafly.

The show will mark the beginning of a series of concerts that are slated to take place around the country and feature the top emerging artist from various markets.

Opening the campaign in New York proved to be a no-brainer for organizers since "New York City is the birthplace of hip-hop," stated Mook Diamond.

The New Big East mix CD, hosted by Kay Slay, Super Star Jay and Big Mike, is scheduled to drop Dec. 12.

For details on the New Big East and Artist to Watch campaigns, visit www.myspace.com/thenewbigeast
 

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