DMC Creates Awards to Highlight Positive Hip-Hop

By: Rizoh

      Hip-hop has been catching plenty of flack since Imus-gate. DMC (Darryl McDaniels) of Run-DMC hopes to reverse that trend by launching an award show that will challenge hip-hop’s negative side. The J.A.M. (Justice, Arts, and Music) Awards, created in honor of Run-DMC’s late DJ Jam Master J, will recognize artists who’ve made positive contributions to the genre.

      “We’re putting the focus back on the positive creative influence of the culture,” said DMC.

       Artists billed to perform include: Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, Marley Marl, Mobb Deep, Talib Kweli, Dead Prez, Papoose, Raekwon, Q-Tip, and Everlast.  DMC told BBC News that the decision to include Snoop Dogg, who’s known for his violence-themed lyrics, did not take away from the message.

       “It’s OK to make a record about a gun,” said DMC, “but if you make a record about a gun, you gotta make a record about not using a gun,” he said. “It’s not about censorship. You can rap and talk about whatever you want. This is about responsibility.”

      The 2007 J.A.M. Awards will take place on November 29^th at New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom. Tickets will be available via ticketmaster.com on October 4.