One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Chuck D and Fellow Rappers Will 'Occupy Skid Row' This Weekend to Highlight Homelessness
Chuck D of Public Enemy has never shied away from making social and political commentary through his music. Now, the rap legend is bringing together some of the best in old-school hip-hop to stand up for the plight of the homeless. This Sunday, he's gathering some of hip-hop's best -- including himself, Cypress Hill and Kurupt of The Dogg Pound -- to perform at a free concert on Skid Row this coming Sunday at a concert that's being called Operation Skid Row Music Festival and Occupy Skid Row Music Festival. The goal, he says, is to raise awareness about the plight of our city's homeless population.
"Somebody needs to speak up for these folks," he said. "This is what the music is about."
The rapper added that people who believe hip-hop is all about violence and negative messages haven't been listening hard enough.
"For too long, they've said that the music I'm involved with...doesn't have enough conscious social activity," he recently told CBS News. He hopes, he said, that taking a more visible stand will also change the way people perceive the genre.
The concert will be free to the public.