Rave Reviews: Black August Concert @ BB Kings in NYC-Pre Labor Day Festivities

Although the above flyer is not for this year’s Black August event flyer, I am using the graphic to let you know that the event was OFF THE HOOK! Special legendary Hip Hop artists who performed at BB Kings were EPMD, BILAL, IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE, REBEL DIAZ, SMIF N WESSUN, DJ MARLEY MARL, DJ SCRATCH, DAS EFX, BLITZ THE AMBASSADOR, JOELLE ORTIZ AND MORE!!!!!  I saw about 4 out of those artist actually perform and I have to give a big shout out to REBEL DIAZ for BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE!!!!!!  The Female Emcee was soooooooooooooo DOPE, she left me SPEECHLESS which never happens! LOL.  Here is what you need to know about this historic event (You learn something knew everyday)

2008 begins the second decade of Black August Hip Hop Project benefit concerts to assist and support our Political Prisoners. The venue for 2008 will be BB King Blues Club, which is located at 237 W. 42nd St, between 8th Ave and Broadway – right in Times Square, New York City!

History of Black August:

Black August originated in the concentration camps of California to honor fallen Freedom Fighters, Jonathan Jackson, George Jackson, William Christmas, James McClain and Khatari Gaulden. Jonathan Jackson was gunned down outside the Marin County California courthouse on August 7, 1970 as he attempted to liberate three imprisoned Black Liberation Fighters: James McClain, William Christmas and Ruchell Magee.

Ruchell Magee is the sole survivor of that armed rebellion. He is the former co-defendant of Angela Davis and has been locked down for 40 years, most of it in solitary confinement. George Jackson was assassinated by prison guards during a Black prison rebellion at San Quentin on August 21, 1971. Three prison guards were also killed during that rebellion and prison officials charged six Black and Latino prisoners with the death of those guards.

These six brothers became known as the San Quentin Six. To honor these fallen soldiers the brothers who participated in the collective founding of Black August wore black armbands on their left arm and studied revolutionary works, focusing on the works of George Jackson.

In the month of August the brothers did not listen to the radio or watch television. Additionally, they didn’t eat or drink anything from sun-up to sundown; and loud and boastful behavior was not allowed. The brothers did not support the prison’s canteen. The use of drugs and alcoholic beverages was prohibited and the brothers held daily exercises because during Black August emphasis is placed on sacrifice, fortitude and discipline. Black August is a time to embrace the principles of unity, self-sacrifice, political education, physical training and resistance.

The tradition of fasting during Black August teaches self-discipline. A conscious fast is in effect FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET (or suggested from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm), this includes refraining from drinking water or liquids and eating food of any kind during that period. Some other personal sacrifice can be made as well. The sundown meal is traditionally shared whenever possible among comrades. On August 31, a People’s Feast is held and the fast is broken. Black August fasting should serve as a constant reminder of the conditions our people have faced and still confront. Fasting is uncomfortable at times, but it is helpful to remember all those who have come and gone before us, Ni Nkan Mase, if we stand tall, it is because we stand on the shoulders of many ancestors.

2008 marks the 11th year Black August Hip Hop Project will host a benefit concert in NYC at BB Kings Blues Club & Grill , the international exchange will take place in Venezuela and a concert will also be held in New Orleans.

Recognizing that the Roots of Black August are founded in the Black August Organizing Committee (BAOC), we, the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement (MXGM), are respectfully including this organization in the trademark of Black August in solidarity with the history and actions that come from this movement.

For More Information on Black August visit:  www.mxgm.com/blackaugust

Below are some cool pics:

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