It’s only fitting that Detroit, the city that drives the world, should want a piece of the $150 billion dollar a year hip-hop industry that moves the world.
“George Bush and Colin Powell are very powerful people, but they can’t f**k with Puff Daddy and Jay-Z,” said keynote speaker Russell Simmons, drawing intense cheers from a crowd of Detroit teens, kids, and adults. Simply put, Simmons was letting everyone know that hip-hop is the true political powerhouse.
On the last weekend of April, Detroiters were told the key to the city’s economic, social and political recovery is hip-hop.
The Detroit Hip Hop Summit was the ninth and largest in the touring series put on by the Hip-Hop Summit Network (HSAN). The Detroit Summit, held in conjunction with the second annual NAACP Freedom Weekend, was projected to attract 13,000, but only drew about 8,000 people. Overall, 17, 000 people participated in Summit-related activities that day including a Def Poetry Slam; Def Jam Vendetta Tour Concert featuring Method Man, Redman, Noreiga, the DOC (his first performance in 14 years), Slum Village, Obie Trice, D-12, Cherub, and Red Cafe; an MC battle; and Summit reception.
The Detroit Summit was exceptional due to the collaborative efforts of the sponsors. Hometown hero Eminem; 32 year-old African-American Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, the man known across the country as “the Hip Hop Mayor”; the HSAN; and Detroit radio station WJLB all coordinated the day-long event. The HSAN coalition is using hip-hop’s widespread influence as a conduit for positive growth in America’s urban communities.
WJLB radio’s morning show host MC Serch of legendary rap group 3rd Bass moderated panel discussions. Serch, the first white DJ at the station since Casey Kasem in the 1950’s, was also instrumental in bringing the Summit to The D.
When Mayor Kilpatrick took the stage, the crowd stood and cheered as if he were an American Idol. Since taking office less than two years ago, the mayor has positioned Detroit as the new black Mecca. The nation’s youngest mayor said the summit’s function is to empower young people to play a role in Detroit’s economic development, and to recognize hip-hop’s part in the rebuilding of urban cities.
Kilpatrick has already elevated the city’s character in the eyes of several investors. Earlier this year, P. Diddy announced his plans to open a Justin’s restaurant in Detroit, and Simmons has spoken with the mayor about developing property on the city’s waterfront. The mayor has secured several hotel deals, and attracted residents and businesses — that fled Detroit for safe suburbs many years ago — to return to the city.
Reverend Wendell Anthony, president of the Detroit branch of the NAACP, the largest chapter in the country, provided well-received spiritual encouragement. Congresswoman and hip-hop advocate Maxine Waters’ (D-CA) attendance gave the event even more legitimacy, and Detroit native Ed Gordon’s (BET Tonight) presence was refreshing. Crowd eagerness and passion were impressive, as Detroiters shared this groundbreaking moment in their hip-hop history.
The summit presented two panels. The first, on hip-hop’s economic impact, featured a number of established players, and newcomers to the industry. Rapper and Detroit native Obie Trice — real name, no gimmick — was there along with D 12’s Proof; Paul Rosenberg (VP, GM Shady Records); Toya (manager of local singer KEM, and the only female on the panel); Doug E. Fresh who at times beat boxed and rhymed; T3 (Slum Village); Khary Turner (Def Poetry Slam winner, Black Bottom Collective); The Bass Brothers (Web Entertainment, music producers for Eminem); and HSAN Chairman and Phat Farm creator Russell Simmons.
Serch moderated the panels and encouraged up-and-coming artists to tell their individual stories in their music. Simmons expanded on that line of reasoning saying, “do what feels like a hit, not what sounds like a hit.” In his opinion, the spiritual laws of success show that if a person gives, they will receive in return, but the return should not be what governs a person’s giving. Art that comes from the heart will garner the world’s attention. “A real contribution to the world will give you all kinds of happiness, and all that, but it will also give you plenty paper,” said Simmons.
Toya, said, “let putting out good music be your focus.” Her slogan for success is, “homework, footwork, network.”
Doug E. Fresh urged hopeful artists to have self-knowledge, awareness and confidence. “What’ss the sense in being creative if you don’t take the chance? You gotta go at it with your instincts and your gut.”
He said artists look for the labels to validate them, and many artists are simply afraid to take the chance and put themselves out there. “Persistence overcomes resistance 95 percent of the time,” Fresh drilled into the audience.
During the second panel on hip-hop’s political impact, panelist Eminem received the Outstanding Achievement Award from the HSAN for his significant charitable work and contributions to support youth empowerment in the city of Detroit. Nas received the Heroes Award for his hit inspirational and empowering music and video entitled “I Can.”
Noreiga, The DOC., MC Breed, Simmons, Reverend Run, were among several panelists speaking on hip-hop’s political impact. HSAN President/CEO Dr. Benjamin Chavis spoke on the HSAN drive to register 20 million voters over the next five years. Chavis was dressed in a dark suit and white Hamptons, Phat Farm’s new footwear. Simmons was in town to officially launch the line from which a portion of the proceeds will benefit the black reparations movement. With assurance, Chavis stated to the crowd, “hip-hop will determine the outcome of elections.”
Timely and relevant topics were raised, mostly by Simmons, but not all were expanded upon by the panel and audience. Simmons declared the summit was “a shining example of what young people can do when they pay attention. The fact is we’ve been asleep for too long.” He spoke on gender relations: “men are still sexist in America,” reparations, racism, high-quality education for everyone, tax cuts, and an increase in poverty rates in the U.S. These are issues on the hip-hop agenda to be addressed.
Simmons introduced to Detroiters the Rush Visa Card, a prepaid visa card featuring equal access and low-cost financial services without a credit check and security deposit. Simmons explained, “this is an empowerment vehicle, I want to share it with you. It was put together because people needed it. According to Simmons, there are 70 million American’s who don’t have bank accounts. And of those 70 million people, 40 million have jobs, pay bills, are responsible, and yet don’t have bank accounts or credit cards. The card can be used anywhere Visa is accepted and at ATM’s worldwide.
The day was more than a pep rally about Detroit’s affiliation with hip-hop. Being in the company of great minds and wealthy pockets helped Detroiter’s recognize how the hip-hop culture should be represented. The city’s youth were told that the world is listening for their voices, and to use the opportunity to influence others wisely.
Detroit is on the rise.
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