 The Black August benefit concert in New York City was a major success, raising more funds for political prisoners than we've ever achieved before!
The Nokia Theatre sold out it's stock of tickets days before the showtime, the buzz in the community about the show was strong, and the vibe, the turnout, and the messaging of the event were everything we wanted and needed.
Thank you to all of the supporters of the benefit concert that purchased tickets, or participated in any way. The success has been due to you.
Event photos by Monifa Skerritt-Perry
Event photos by M Szwajkos
Here's a sample of some of the concert coverage from Vibe's website:
Back to Black (POSTED: 17:02 EST, August 29, 2007)
"This ain't no damn concert, but we're going to rock on," exclaimed M1 of dead prez.
Sunday night's Black August celebration at Times Square had all the characteristics of a jam session: political-minded emcees, a sold-out Nokia Theatre, legendary DJs rocking the ones and twos- but, in response to the problems plaguing inner-city neighborhoods, the prevalent theme was "Free Your Hood."
Organized by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, this year's Black August - its first year (400 attendees at New York's Tramp's in '97) is indicative of the success the campaign has seen- marked the 10th year of its existence and evolution.
To read the rest of the review, visit vibe.com.
Billboard's website has also done a write up of the event. Here is a portion of it:
Black August: Libertad!
Mariel Concepcion, N.Y.
The annual Black August concert, which honors freedom fighters and
political prisoners, took over New York's Nokia Theater on Sunday,
August 26th, with a huge hip-hop bill that included Dead Prez, Talib
Kweli, Common, Mos Def and several others.
Presented by Malcolm X Grassroots
Movement, the evening was hosted by MXGM's Monifa Bandele and Dead
Prez' M1. The sold-out event was dedicated to Assata Shakur, a
revolutionary activist and former Black Panther member who, even though
evidence revealed she neither carried nor fired a weapon, was sentenced
to life in prison in 1973 for the death of a New Jersey state trooper.
Shakur, who celebrated her 60th birthday that night, is in exile in
Cuba and has a $1 million bounty on her head, along with having been
recently being placed on the list of domestic terrorists.
It was a full house an hour in,
everyone bumping to Black Sheep and Run DMC courtesy of DJ Evil D.
"This is not an industry party! We are real motherf***ing people at a
real show. So, make some noise!" commanded D.
To read the rest of the review, visit billboard.com .
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