Blog

Photo: Me and Minister Server after a hip-hop panel we were on at George Washington University. The panel was sponsored by the United Nations Association and the Hip-Hop Association.  See it bigger.

This year's theme for the 11th annual Hiphop Appreciation Week, which takes place May 18-25, is empowerment. Founded by the Temple of Hiphop, the nationwide celebration allows the hip-hop community to make a deliberate effort to engage in the principles of peace, love, unity, and safe fun. See the note from Minister Server below.

For those who haven't had a chance to pick up my book THE MESSAGE: 100 LIFE LESSONS FROM HIP-HOP'S GREATEST SONGS, it's a perfect companion for this year's HipHop Appreciation Week.

THE MESSAGE is a collection of real wisdom that has been distilled from the all-time greatest hip-hop songs. By incorporating my experiences and reflections with the rappers' messages, I focus on the positive, motivational influence hip-hop has had on its audience. With each life lesson aptly titled after a hip-hop song, I show how hip-hoppers can:

• Learn to Deal with Regrets by Jamming to Jay-Z
• Foster Self-Esteem by Listening to Mos Def
• Exert Self-Worth Based on Cues from Queen Latifah
• Reflect on Spirituality with Kanye West
• Embrace Individuality by Pumping The Roots and much more...

Hip-hop legend CL Smooth called THE MESSAGE, "An amazing book. Definitely informative and a great read!" SISTER 2 SISTER magazine wrote, "...it'll remind you of why you fell in love with hip-hop." Black Artemis, author of the hip-hop novels Explicit Content, Picture Me Rollin' and Burn, said, "It is high time that someone wrote a book of meditations for the hip hop generation. Everyone who loves hip hop should keep a copy of THE MESSAGE on the night table and consult it each morning."

Besides just showing an often overlooked side of hip-hop, THE MESSAGE is being used as a tool of empowerment, engagement, and education. As a way to bring together young people on campus, the Center for Multicultural Education and Programs at New York University chose THE MESSAGE as the inaugural selection for its new book club. Books for Boys, a renowned program that engages young men with books, literacy and the world around them, is using THE MESSAGE as a tool to ignite a discussion of change. A lesson plan, discussion guide, and syllabus are available for free download at www.feliciapride.com. Excerpts of THE MESSAGE are also available for reprint.

I've been a featured speaker at venues across the country including Bennett College, Philander Smith College, George Mason University, and the Congressional Black Caucus Forum to discuss hip-hop and its role in society. If you're interested in having me at one of your or your organization's upcoming event, email promotion@thebacklist.net.

THE MESSAGE is available online and in bookstores (if your local store doesn't have it, you can ask for it).

Cop it. Get inspired.

Until,

Felicia

---

From Minister Server:

Greetings Hip Hop Community,

The Temple of Hiphop is proud to announce the 2008 Hip Hop Appreciation Week (HHAW) will be celebrated May 18-25, the theme for this year is EMPOWERMENT! Hiphoppas around the world are encouraged to use this week to empower yourself, your community and increase the work to de-criminalize the images of Hip Hop that are constantly being shown through the mainstream media.

Use HHAW to teach people, especially the youth, about Hip Hop culture and the many ways we have contributed to positive social change in our communities. This will empower Hiphoppas to rise above the negative stereotypes that some people continue to attempt to place on our people, our ways of express and our culture.

As the citizens of the USA are preparing for the election season, let us be empowered to know that it is us, the Hip Hop community that is leading the way for new leadership by voting in record numbers! According to some political experts, the Hip Hop community who will determine who will win elections all across the country from local Councilmen to Congress to Commander-in- Chief!

This is also an exciting time in the international Hip Hop community, all over the world more and more people are being empowered through the phenomenon that is Hip Hop culture! This is especially true of Hip Hop beyond the entertainment aspects, such as Education, Politics and Spirituality. According to the United Nations, "Hip Hop is the fastest growing culture in the world"! From New to New Zealand, from California to Cairo, people are looking to Hip Hop culture to empower them to transcend the barriers of the past and transform their communities into what they desire them to be!

Hiphoppas, this is what we've been preparing for, we must realize that we have a great opportunity to actually change the course of world history simply through the Empowerment of Hip Hop culture! Let's not front; let us use the 2008 HHAW as the inspiration to step up and finally recognizing who we are and what we are here to do, "Now Is The Time and We Are The People"! Have a great, safe, productive and empowered HHAW, Word!

Forever Hiphop,

Minister Server - The Hiphop Life Coach
Temple Of Hiphop,
HIPHOP Ministries, Inc.
www.hiphopministries.org