Last week, the Current/Minnesota Public Radio and Twin Cities Public Television held a local hip-hop panel discussion, a precursor to the May 10 "State of Hip Hop" concert. The two-hour chat wasn't without contentious moments.
Looks like some issues still need ironing out.
Twin Cities hip-hop leaders issued a letter today calling to postpone the concert. The open letter - signed by Slug, Brother Ali, MPR's Kevin Beacham and others - references the "exploitation, appropriation and mutual distrust" between local rap artists and the media that covers them, and applauds MPR/TPT for reaching out. It goes on, however, to say that that's not enough, "respectfully but firmly" requesting postponement of the concert and for "more elements of our community represented, and a more intentional, transparent planning process."
Click here to read the letter in full.
