NYOIL discusses hiphop’s reaction to the racially charged incident in Jena, Louisiana, now commonly referred to as Jena 6. You can read more about the racial tension in Jena Highschool, the noose-hanging and the subsequent beating here. NYOIL holding it down in the community, assuming leadership and hopefully gaining support. Glad to spread this message.
FROM PRESS RELEASE:
There has been a great deal of talk in the last 2 or 3 weeks about he Jena 6. For those still unaware it is in your best interest to google the phrase and do your own research as my description of the situation would be woefully lacking.
In this growing conversation much ado is being made about the response or lack there of from Hip Hop. Today Al Sharpton made an aside about the lack of Rappers Responses to this travesty.
I would like to say the following in this regard.
NYOIL / PEMG has made every effort within our limited means to help bring attention and add as much support to this issue as we have been able to. We were first exposed to this issue by a sister named Lynx Garcia (extravagangstaradio.com). Upon hearing about this we began to do what research we could. At the same time we contacted our good friend Reggie Brown (Managing Editor at the Source) and asked him if he could run a story on this issue. He did his diligence and in no small part due to our relationship the brother followed up and contacted Lynx as well as two of the kids involved with Jena 6. They are running a 2 part story on this issue as we speak. Big Ups to THE SOURCE as they step back into their rightful place as the leader in hip hop publications.
NYOIL has donated with no question or undue consideration 1 of the tracks off HoodTREASON the warmup album called “Self Destrukkktion” to a CD being developed to help raise money for the Jena 6 legal fund.
Further to that we have also done a podcast 2 weeks ago Aug 17 2007 with the Jena 6 as the subject matter. This podcast has received over 500 unique downloads and was the first of our series.We list these things which may be paltry to some and significant to others for these reasons. PEMG and NYOIL do not have the financial means that some of these other rappers or companies or “civil rights leaders” have. We are a group of individuals with families and jobs and responsibilities like every other American citizen. But we saw a need and we did what we could do to bring light to the situation, we worked from the space we occupy and the place we reside.
It is not our fault or failure that Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson or commercial radio continue to look to “rappers” who have never had any interest in their society, culture, or people, beyond what money they can make. It is not our fault that Radio stations refuse to acknowledge the hard work and quality music that artist such as myself make and have made for years now. Nor is it on us that mainstream “HIP HOP” media is more concerned with whether 50 cent will outsell Kanye West or who’s the biggest Dope boy in the south. All we can do is the best we can from where we are at. The same as any one else could do.
But what we will not tolerate nor stand idly by for is to be further disrespected and disregarded by so called black Leadership who fail to do a simple thing as their due diligence and get on television or radio and continue to spread the ignorance and lies that they have grown accustomed to perpetuating.
It is NOT true that Hip Hop has done nothing regarding this, Fact of the matter is Hip hoppers world wide have crusaded for this issue online and in places like Myspace and various message boards. It is not true that no rappers have stepped up.
NYOIL has and will continue to step up where my people need me and injustice for ALL people exist.The real question Al Sharpton should have asked, Jesse Jackson should ask and these radio stations that claim to care should ask is
WHERE IS 50 cent .. Vitamin Water .. what?? ..
WHERE IS Jay Z .. it’s the Roc?
WHERE IS David Banner
WHERE IS Dip Set
WHERE IS CASH MONEY RECORDS
Where are any of these rappers claiming the hood and claiming the people like they are really down for them? Where are these rappers who’s records these radio stations play OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER?? Where are these artist who sell Millions of records to these hoods?
And then ask where is NYOIL and these other conscious rappers?? Where are they?? We are on the front lines FIGHTING with nothing but heart and a will to make some sort of a difference.So if the most you can do .. is jump up and ask questions you already know the answers too? Then we are going to respectfully ask you to shut the hell up!. And to these black “leaders” if your leadership is so weak that you can’t identify friend from foe then know that there is a movement growing and bubbling from the very core of our culture. One that will not be denied and will no longer be represented by outmoded leadership that pragmatically clutches to old ways and old methods of unifying our people and our nation.
the declaration of independence says it best “Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”
Today, Tonight and NOW we are providing new Guards for our future security. Be it with you or without you we have elected to die standing for something than live on our knees for nothing.
