FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jody L. Miller
Ellen Zoe Golden
JLM PR, Inc. (212) 431-5227
[email protected]
[email protected]

HIP-HOP SUMMIT ACTION NETWORK RESPONDS TO THE SOURCE MAGAZINE PUBLISHER

“In almost 30 years in this business, I’ve never been in a hip-hop battle and I will not be drawn into one now by The Source magazine,” declared Russell Simmons, Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network. “Dave Mays and Benzino are my brothers and I wish the best for them. Unfortunately, we do not agree on this issue. In a Hip-Hop Summit in Detroit earlier this year, Eminem, Nas and Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick inspired 14,000 young people to reach for their highest aspirations. At that time, Eminem also received an award from the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network for his generous donation of coats to those who were cold on the streets of Detroit. Although The Source magazine takes the opposite position, I stand by what I said in that I believe Eminem’s apology is sincere.

“As Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, I accept Dave Mays’ resignation from the Board of Directors with regret. We wish Dave Mays and The Source magazine well. We expect and look forward to Eminem’s continued rise in popularity and even greater contributions to our community. “

Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, emphasized, “I want to reiterate that hip-hop transcends race. The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network represents the interests of all of the artists. I believe The Source magazine has the opportunity and the responsibility to promote the evolution of hip-hop culture. We should not allow this controversy to forfeit the progress that has been made.”

For more information on the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network, go to www.hsan.org.