HIP HOP CONGRESS NATIONAL CONVENTION 2008 JULY 24th - 27th in Biloxi and New Orleans

HIP HOP CONGRESS NATIONAL CONVENTION 2008 JULY 24th - 27th in Biloxi and New Orleans

Press Release
Schedule Updated 7/3/08

REGISTER TO ATTEND THE CONFERENCE!!!
Announced Performers
Want to perform? Artist Submission located here!

Aaron Berkowitz
PR and Marketing Director
Hip Hop Congress
berkowitz@hiphopcongress.com
http://www.hiphopcongress.com

Hip Hop Congress Announces it’s 7th Annual Conference to be hosted by the Mississippi Artists and Producers Coalition
Energize, Organize, Revolutionize: Taking it back to the Roots

DATE, LOCATION: The 7TH Annual National Hip Hop Congress Conference will take place in Biloxi, MS from July 24th through the 27th at the Treasure Bay Hotel and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. This year the conference will focus on building internal capacity and direction of the organization with a goal of improved service, clarified action and plans to further influence local communities where we have a presence as well as national. Special addresses will be also be given by Bakari Kitwana of Rapsessions and Cheri Honkala, National Coordinator of the Poor People’s Economic Human Rights Campaign.

This conference will include a variety of activities and workshops in the elements of hip hop, use and development of media coalitions, direct action, digital distribution, music industry knowledge and detailed plans for HHC in the next two years. Hip Hop Congress will also be announcing the roll out of several new initiatives including increased resources for artists through the website and cultural services for schools, after school programs, and communities. Individuals and organizations interested in learning more about HHC are welcome to attend, enjoy the activities and learn more about HHC without any obligation to join. As always, there will be shows every night featuring artists on the cutting edge of Independent music as well as a headliner yet to be named.Previous artists who have performed at the National Conference are Blueprint, OneBeLo, Zion I, Jurassic 5, and Brother Ali.

Shamako Noble, HHC President, stated, “Last year we gave an open invitation to Hip Hop organizations, partners and interested folks to attend in an effort to expand our bases. This year, we want to focus on refining our strengths while addressing our weaknesses. We’ve been able to survive conditions as an organization that many said shouldn’t have allowed us to exist. Our hope is that at this conference we can return to the formula that has allowed is to survive for so long, while troubleshooting issues that could hinder our development . This means refocusing on the mission, streamlining our communication, and redefining our programs. We are also very excited to be in the South, where a lot of Hip Hop Organizations either don’t go, are afraid to go, or only go when it’s convenient. We’re looking to build something lasting here, and connect it to the rest of the practical Hip Hop movement.”

Cheri Honkala commented, “I’m honored to be a part of this event. I attended my first HHC conference in 2004 and we’ve been developing a relationship ever since. This year, our collaborative focus is in Minneapolis at the March for Our Lives where HHC is taking a clear stand on Housing, Health Care, money and programs for the poor and not for this ridiculous war in Iraq. I think that anybody that is serious about utilizing the potential of Hip Hop at a grassroots level should be looking at HHC.”

When President of the Southern Progressives, Southern Regional Director, and top flight artist Kamikaze was asked to comment, he replied, “The Mississippi Artists and Producers coalition is proud to be hosting this year’s annual conference. I personally lobbied for Hip Hop Congress to be here and connect with the South in an organic way that we hadn’t really seen in Mississippi. As the defender and protector of all things Mississippi, I expect nothing but the best results from this conference.“

Announced Performers (Check Back for constant updates on this list)

Performing:

DLabrie
Kamikaze
Shamako Noble
B-Girl Media/Knox Family
Silent Lambs
Darkside
Quanstar
F.E.W.
Truth Universal

Parters and Participants (Past and Present):

* RockRap Confidential
* Poor Peoples Economic Human Rights Campaign
* Seattle Youth Council
* 206 Zulu
* B-Girl Media
* Global Fam
* Silicon Valley De-Bug
* Golden Mean Music
* Mississippi Artists and Producers Coalition
* Iron Fist Recrods
* African American History Museum
* The Ruckus Society
* Rondavoux Records
* Chicago Zulu Nation
* Hip Hop Association
* Hip Hop Caucus
* Soundslam.com
* RubyHornet.com
* Hip Hop Chess Federation
* Reclaim the Media
* The League of Young Voters
* Rapsessions
* First Team Music
* VividUrban Magazine
* Pastors for Peace
* The Cipher
* F5 Records

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To View the most updated schedule of events please Click Here

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Remember to register to attend

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Artist submission information

If you would like to be considered for a performance spot at the HHC National Conference in front of an audience that books shows in every major city and on dozens of college campuses, please email 2008HHCSubmission@hiphopcongress.com with the following information:

*A one - two page bio that includes current contact information
*1-3 current press links (if you have them)
*1-2 video links (if you have them)
*1-2 mp3 links (use a program such as divshare.com or zshare.com to upload your mp3s, if you don’t know how to do this then you can email the mp3 directly but that method will take us longer to review)
*Anything else you would like us to see, such as myspace links.

Not everyone will get a spot but we would like to accommodate as many acts as possible. It is free to submit and remember we get tons of requests so please forgive us if we don’t get back to you right away. Email 2008HHCSubmission@hiphopcongress.com with this info and any other artist related questions you may have.