In kinda related news, owners of US hip hop mag The Source have issued a damning statement against hip hop mogul Russell Simmons after he pulled out of a 'rock the vote' style event they were staging in Miami this weekend. Source / Simmons relations have been sour ever since the latter sided with Eminem when the Source proclaimed Slim Shady was racist.
After hearing Simmons had decided to not attend his magazine's Miami event, The Source issued the following statement: "Russell Simmons has been exploiting Hip-Hop for years. We invited, and expected him to participate in the largest annual Hip-Hop weekend of the year, and he bailed from the event because he is afraid of the authenticity and influence of The Source Magazine, and our weekend. Russell is further from Hip-Hop, the community and struggle it represents than he has ever been. Russell is a serious threat to the advancement of the black community, and Hip-Hop culture because he exploits the perception in corporate America that he represents the views of the Hip-Hop community when he does not.
The mag used the occasion to take another dig at Eminem - as previously reported The Source is supporting Michael Jackson in his bid to have Slim Shady's Jacko-spoofing new video banned - the statement continues: "Russell's call for unity with Eminem, Jimmy Iovine and Interscope Records downplays the seriousness of Eminem's latest attack on black people, and the incredible legacy of black music, as clearly depicted in his new music video ridiculing Michael Jackson. The true cause of disunity in Hip-Hop is the lack of open dialogue regarding the state of the Hip-Hop music industry, and the role of corporate interests in the destruction of black owned companies and black artists. We invite Russell, Jimmy Iovine, Eminem and Paul Rosenberg to a debate to discuss the future of Hip-Hop and those things that divide us. The [Simmons headed] Hip-Hop Summit, and Russell Simmons may represent the Hamptons and his rich friends, but they don't represent the Hip-Hop Community. We expect a huge turnout this weekend in Miami and a larger than ever Source Awards weekend. We remain excited and inspired about our political rally at which we expect thousands to gather for our event."
So that's that sorted.