Proving that he’s about “the people” in and out of the booth,
Common recently announced the launch of the Common Ground Foundation Inc.
The foundation’s goal is to empower youth through education. Common
(no pun intended) world problems including the HIV/AIDS epidemic will
be one focus, with an emphasis on prevention. Since an explosion of the
virus has taken place overseas, outreach will go beyond the United
States, branching out into the AIDS ravaged continent of Africa.
Common believes change in our society—and the world—begins and ends with the youth. “I always believed that if we started with the youth then we would be planting the seeds for our future to blossom,”
he says of his reasons for starting the foundation.
Suge Knight’s Death Row Records
is not on its death bed just yet. In an article published in the
New York Post, a bidding war has apparently ensued over the label that
birthed classic Hip Hop albums such as Dr. Dre’s
The Chronic and Snoop Dogg’s debut album, Doggystyle. Independent powerhouse
Koch Records is in the running to purchase the label, as is
Evergreen Copyrights—the company that purchased the late
Tupac’s catalog in May. However, Suge is not home free just yet.
Death Row can’t be sold until lawsuits from Dr. Dre and
Tupac’s mother, Afeni Shakur are settled. According to reports,
Dre is suing over unpaid royalties stemming from The Chronic, while
Shakur is fighting for the rights to her son’s unreleased music.
One of Hip Hop’s most fashionable emcees is ready to put his stamp on the world of accessories. Kanye West is set to develop his own line of jewelry, teaming up with Takashi Murakami to launch the line. Murakami is the artist who most recently designed the Graduation album cover. According to Women’s Wear Daily, West wore a piece from the line last week at a fashion show in New York. While many
rappers prefer jewelry covered in diamonds that cost more than the average home, West says his line won’t be dominated by Africa’s gem saying, “They’ll be more accessible, they won’t be all diamonds.“
The American Music Awards nominations have been announced and it may be a good year for Hip Hop and R&B. Beyonce
picked up three nominations this year (Best Female Soul/R&B Artist,
Best Pop/Rock Female Artist and Best Album) and Hip Hop’s reigning
king, T.I. received two. Other artists nominated
for awards include 2007 comeback kings Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Young Jeezy, Akon, and Justin Timberlake. The show will air November 18 on ABC and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
