Dubbed as both the Operation Skid Row Music Festival and the Occupy Skid Row Music Festival, on January 15th Chuck D and Public Enemy along with a dozen or more (mostly old school LA) hip-hop acts will put on a free concert for the down-on-their-luck residents of Los Angeles' desolate Skid Row district. The list of other performers for this wonderful free all afternoon event, that will also be open for free to anyone from anywhere who wishes to attend, includes Cypress Hill, Kurupt from the Dogg Pound, Mellow Man Ace and Zzyzzx, King T, Rapper's Rapp Group, Sir Jinx and General Population, OG Kid Frost, L.A. Posse, and the Egyptian Lover. What makes this concert significant is that all of these artists have agreed to perform for free as a an unselfish token in this new year for the homeless population of LA's famed Skid Row area which contains one of the largest stable populations of homeless persons in the USA. A 2011 study estimated that Skid Row's population was at over 4300 people!As with so many of the worthy events and happenings associated with Skid Row that I hear about this one too is also linked directly back to General Jeff - the longtime LA hip-hop figure, friend of Amoeba, hip-hop golden age recording artist, & community activist/tireless supporter of the rights of LA's Skid Row
community. General Jeff (real name Jeff Page) is Resident Director for Central City East/ Skid Row & is on the Board of Directors for the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council as well as being VP of Outreach and Communications and is always down to volunteer his time, skills, and endless energy to the worthy residents of Skid Row with whom he has worked on behalf of for years. This morning I caught with General Jeff, who was up early busy at work while listening (he informed me) to the late great LA hip-hop artist Mausberg's Non-Fiction album.I asked General Jeff whose idea it was for this wonderful festival and how it all came about? "The "Occupy Skid Row" Music Festival came to me from Chuck D of Public Enemy. He was already working on a book with another great Skid Row activist Pete White of LA CAN (Los Angeles Community Action Network). Chuck D came to Skid Row last year on that project and he and I re-connected after all these years. The last time I saw Chuck D was when I was with Rodney-O and Joe Cooley and we did a couple of shows in Denver as P.E.'s opening act," he said continuing, "We exchanged contact numbers again and Chuck mentioned that he was feeling the positive energy coming out of Skid Row but felt that it needed to be bigger. He offered to use his "rep" in order to shed more light on our community's issues. He felt that the best way to do this was via a concert. We initially choose the summer of 2012. Obviously, we couldn't wait that long!"
On the same date as the concert, January 15th, that book that Chuck D and Pete White were working on titled Freedom Now will have a book launch event at LA's Grammy Museum (across from the STAPLES Center) from 10am until 1pm. "Chuck contacted me and said that immediately after the book launch, he wanted to come to Skid Row and do the concert. Keep in mind that he told me this only two days before Christmas. That meant that we only had two good weeks to put this thing together," said Jeff of the impressive work that went into this last minute event. "Luckily, my name is still good in the rap game. As I reached out to the talent, all of whom I consider good friends, not one of them hesitated after I told them what we were trying to do. They all wanted in! As a matter of fact, we're expecting more acts than we have time for. Some of the groups are flying in from out of town just for this. Spending their own money on plane tickets, knowing that they aren't making anything. Simply wanting to give back. This event is about hip-hop giving back. We've had interest from other big name stars, but they haven't confirmed yet but by the time the show happens they'll probably be right there."
What is even more impressive is that none of these acts expect to or asked to get paid when Jeff told them that it would a 100% non-fiscal event (no money at all being exchanged - just goodness & good vibes). Everybody performing agreed that it should be a free concert for all the old school hip-hop fans, as well as
the homeless folks that will be in attendance happily reported Jeff. "One big happy family, from all walks of life. Led by a true pioneer, Chuck D, who said "With all the 'Occupying' going on all over the world, it's important that Hip-Hop use our collective voice and join in the worldwide movement. That's why Hip-Hop will 'Occupy' Skid Row on January 15th!" Following a half hour press conference the talent packed music festival will run from 1:30pm until 5:30pm on Sunday January 15th in downtown LA's Skid Row district (follow the crowd and the sound of the music to find the stage). For more exact information follow @GoSkidRowGo on Twitter. As Jeff added, before getting back to work this morning, "So imagine, free concert, big names, positive energy and a good cause- what more can a person ask for?" Indeed! Relevant Tags
Chuck D (10), Interview (174), General Jeff (4), Public Enemy (14)Recent Posts From Billyjam
Comments
It's great to see so many artists willing to give their time, energy, talents in recognition of the SKID ROW COMMUNITY. Just remember everyone on Skid Row are not " homeless people", lots of talented people make this area a community.
Unfortunately, allthough the concert will be " free " and entertaining of course, afterward the Skid Row Community, residents and the homeless, will still be in the same situation and with no means to move to a higher level.
In trust that somehow the various artists will find methods by which to assist in the POSITIVE COMMUNITY BUILDING that needs to happen in Skid Row.
Manuel Benito Compito
aka OG Man
OPERATION FACE-LIFT/SKID ROW
SKID ROW BRIGADE
OG'S N SERVICE ASSOCIATION
I wish they could have promoted something like "Bring a can of food or warm clothes or ?" to those of us who are more fortunate and want to come down to help support SkidRow...
I'm down to drop this set @ your event - http://soundcloud.com/withoutwarningrecords/sets/hasta-la-victoria-siempre -I think it's important that the people get an opportunity to listen to it, especially @ events of relevant nature. @HERBnBREW (twitter)/ HERB N BREW (FB) "OUR YOUTH IS HOMELESS/ HOUSE THEM & FEED THEM/ PROVIDE THEM A SHINING PATH/ ...NEW WORLD LEADERS." -j
HELP US FEED 1000 HOMELESS FAMILIES JANUARY 29TH, 2012
We need your help with the feeding of 1000 homeless and needy families on January 29th, 2012. Please contact us at 818-623-7332 or email us at brooksfoundation@gmail.com to schedule a drop off time of your items before January 28th. For those who are out of the area and would like to help, please download our Feeding People in Need sponsor package.
Items Needed:
Water (1000 bottles)
Forks (1000)
Napkins (1000)
Chicken (11 Cases)
Garlic Salt & Pepper
Onions
Potatoes (100 lbs)
Lunch Containers (1000)
Napkins (1000)
Desserts
Hygiene Packs
http://www.brooksandbrooksfoundation.org/blogs/view/168047/
Right on! It's no surprise that the old skool acts understand the importance of community involvement. Viva Cypress Hill!
>Los Angeles Food Not Bombs is dedicated to helping the the folks of skid row by taking food and other useful items every Sunday, 6pm at Pershing Squair and 7pm at San Julian between 5th and 6th. If anyone is interested in helping cook, serve or clean up call- 707-616-1571.
1st of all giving all the Thanks, Praise, & Glory to Almighty GOD. 2nd giving Thanks & Appreciation to Pete White & LA CAN. Jeneral Jeff Mayor of Skid Row. O/G GOD FATHER of Skid Row. Crushow. Ucepp. LAPD (not police). Chuck D & Public Enemy. All the Artists involved. Dr Clyde Woods (R.I.P.) & the entire SKID ROW COMMUNITY for Loving the People of SKID ROW!! We LOVE u right Back!!~TWIN~
Supoort the movement!
Spread the Word!
Bring some can goods!
Love Peace Unity
BLAH BLAH BLAH!!!!Yea no kidding that down here on skid row we will all be the same after the free concert.........But you know what? At least we know that there are kind artists willing to entertain us free of charge out of the kindness of their hearts. And we will all be getting a bad ass Show free......Nothing like listening to Old School While in the Real Streets. Put that in your cry baby pipe and smoke it!
josh h,you are so ungreatful,you need prayer and hope brotha!!!
?
am i allowed to make goodie bags and pass them out or do i have to give them to a Spencer?
i meant sponsor .
i really want to make goodie bags full of chips and drinks and fruit cups.
@ Star - am forwarding your question to General Jeff and asking him to respond here in comments to your question and to any other comments above So check back later today (1/12) - thanks v. much
What time is the concert ?
Sending a shout out to " all the positive folks ". The ones I know and the ones I need to know. Of course, to all the artists and organizers. Of course, to my friend and business associate, General Jeff. To Big Twin of Skid Row Flowin, Uncle Bean and Crushow (all members of SKID ROW ARTISTS COLLECTIVE..SRAC). Keep showing the POSITIVE SIDE of the ROW!! LET THEM KNOW HOW WE DO IT...FAMILY STYLE!
NICE to see things a " heating up". Lost of provoking thoughts, ideas and suggestions....and of course, personal comments.
SKID ROW is WORLD WIDE.
OG MAN
OG'S N SERVICE ASSOCIATION
SKIDROW 3on3 STREETBALL LEAGUE
SKID ROW ARTISTS COLLECTIVE
SKID ROW BRIGADE/ HOMELESS COALITION
PEACE-N- HOOD
PAZ N EL BARRIO
JUST PUTTING IT DOWN ASSOCIATES
SKID ROW UNIT/ COLLEGE DIVISION
BREAKING NEWS: The "Skid Row Music Festival" event will happen at 5th and Gladys in Skid Row on Sunday, January 15th starting at 1pm..... Get there early!!!!!!
Heres the Google Map to the Spot: http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=5th+%26+gladys+los+angeles&hl=en&ftid=0x80c2c63a0c464091:0xa2ff7d81ab07e453
Well, my hat goes off to Chuck D, Flavor Flav ( Public Enemy), General Jeff (Issues and Solutions), Pete White ( LA CAN) and of course, ALL THE OLD SCHOOL and to those Skid Row Artists Collective members, CRUSHOW, UNKAL BEAN and TWIN.. Everyone did a " hell of a job ". And to the PEOPLE, who came from many different HOODS, they conducted themselves with the utmost class and style.
So, while a lot of $$$ was not raised, the minds of the masses where taken to a higher level and that was worth all the money in the world. They had the opportunity of spending " quality time " on THE ROW and understanding the depth of the SPIRIT OF SKID ROW which is truly HOLY GROUND. It was equal to a pilgrimage.
With that, the future looks good. This event shows that we can come together. That PEACE N HOOD is real on Skid Row.
OG
Well, my hat goes off to Chuck D, Flavor Flav ( Public Enemy), General Jeff (Issues and Solutions), Pete White ( LA CAN) and of course, ALL THE OLD SCHOOL and to those Skid Row Artists Collective members, CRUSHOW, UNKAL BEAN and TWIN.. Everyone did a " hell of a job ". And to the PEOPLE, who came from many different HOODS, they conducted themselves with the utmost class and style.
So, while a lot of $$$ was not raised, the minds of the masses where taken to a higher level and that was worth all the money in the world. They had the opportunity of spending " quality time " on THE ROW and understanding the depth of the SPIRIT OF SKID ROW which is truly HOLY GROUND. It was equal to a pilgrimage.
With that, the future looks good. This event shows that we can come together. That PEACE N HOOD is real on Skid Row.
OG
where can i find pictures of this past event?
Hip Hoppers giving back....great