(BLACK PR WIRE) (NEW YORK, NY) – For years, rap music has been a controversial topic due to its explicit content and views. Appealing primarily to generations of urban youth, the graphic gang and sexually-oriented messages expressed in it can have damaging effects on the mind-set of society’s youth. Young people in urban areas have adopted the thug/gangster mentality praised in rap music and are set on a steady path of self-destruction. In light of society’s glorification of violence, going against the grain might seem insurmountable for some but not for BK Music recording artist, Kevin L. Stepson of the legendary Ray Charles, Kevin L is a revolutionary Rhythm and Praise (R&P) artist delivering positive messages. This talented visionary is the founder of The H13 Project which serves as a solution to the epidemics affecting our neighborhoods. The national impact of the H13 Project has been so effective and profound that human rights activist, Reverend Al Sharpton, decided to unite with Kevin L on this nationwide movement. Rev. Sharpton, a leader in the fight to discourage abusive rap lyrics, commends Kevin L on his use of clean lyrics and has joined the H13 Project to serve as spokesperson. Negative criticism and death threats have not deterred him from continuing his efforts to hold those accountable for degrading lyrical content. The undaunted Rev. Sharpton states, “Every record company has what they call a lyrics committee, where they screen lyrics to make sure they’re not against police, or gays or Jews. Well, how come they’re clearing lyrics against blacks and women?” Rev. Sharpton and Kevin L believe media conglomerates such as Viacom, who own and operate BET (Black Entertainment Television) and MTV (Music Television) networks, should be reprimanded for airing content harmful to citizens. Day in and day out, impressionable urban youth view content on these networks debasing and denigrating the Black population. Unopposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), these networks are allowed to transmit socially–abrasive messages and generate millions of revenue to the detriment of society.

With the popularity of offensive rap music and the increase in crime plaguing urban communities, there’s an urgency to address these issues. According to recent national FBI statistics, crime (murder, rape, larceny, etc.) has significantly risen and is being committed by youth. KEVIN L created the H13 Project to provide mentoring, through school and community outreach, for children nationwide lacking direction. The H13 Project will directly enter neighborhoods with high incidences of crime to encourage youth to reach for the skies and not the tech nine. Cities such as Newark, NJ will be visited where there have been approximately 20 killings within the last 3 months and where high school statistics are horrifying - students entering high school are testing below the 6th grade level. Baltimore, MD, ranking 12th amongst most dangerous cities in the U.S. and the 2nd most dangerous city in the U.S. with a population over 500,000, will also be visited. Philadelphia, PA is targeted due to increasing numbers of students attacking teachers and sabotaging classroom learning. The H13 Project targets other urban cities including Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL and Washington, D.C. to lend assistance.

The media industry needs to become actively involved because the actions of one affect us all. For more information on KEVIN L and the H13 Project log onto www.souledoutcd.com.

In response to David Banner’s recent attack on Reverend Al Sharpton, a representative from the activist’s camp released a statement to SOHH today (August 14) addressing the rapper’s remarks.

Banner (born Levell Crump) recently revealed to SOHH that he does not support Sharpton’s rallies against hip-hop’s lyrical content and described his dislike for the Reverend.

The next time you see Al Sharpton, tell him I said @#*$ him and he can suck my @#*$, ” an animated David Banner told SOHH.com. “I might change the name of my album from The Greatest Story Never Told to @#*$ Al Sharpton. I hate Al Sharpton. This is the kind of @#!* that I’m talking about. They’re killing kids in New Jersey and all across the country and all a @#*$% got to talk about is rap lyrics? @#*$ that about they’re our elders and we gotta respect them. I’m tired of this. They’re like the parents, but the parents are crucifying the kids.

The Mississippi bred rapper also referred to Sharpton as “a permed out pimp.”

Kirsten John-Foy, a leader with Sharpton’s National Action Network and the head of his Criminal Justice Initiative, responded with his own scathing remarks.

“From time to time we do encounter people that have sexual fantasies about Reverend Al Sharpton, but they are always women and Crump’s proposition is a first,” he told SOHH in a statement.

“However, in keeping with the National Action Network’s Decency Initiative, I am sure Rev. Sharpton would not call Crump the “N” “B” or “H” word,” Foy continued. “And, despite Crump’s personal request, I am sure Reverend Sharpton would not call him an @#!*%&. He would just pray for him. We at NAN are pro civil rights for everyone, even Levell Crump who has not had a banner year since his debut album in 2003.”

NEW YORK - A radio comeback for Don Imus seemed unthinkable at the height of the uproar caused by his sexist and racist comments on-air about the Rutgers women’s basketball team.

The veteran talk show host was skewered by politicians and advocacy groups and flayed in the media for referring to the players as “nappy-headed hos” on his nationally syndicated CBS Radio program. He became the target of protests led by the Rev. Al Sharpton and was eventually fired.

But industry experts say broadcast executives can have a very short memory if it means boosting ratings — which Imus can still deliver.

“We are in a society where celebrity is the most important part of fame. Whether it’s for good or for bad — that doesn’t seem to translate in corporate America’s unending quest for ratings,” said Michael Harrison, founder of the trade publication Talkers magazine. “He’s more valuable now than before the controversy. … He’s in a position to sort of reinvent himself — to make himself more pertinent and even more interesting.”

Imus reached a settlement Tuesday with CBS Radio that pre-empts his threatened $120 million breach-of-contract lawsuit against CBS, the company and Imus’ attorney said in a statement Tuesday.

Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. Just before his dismissal, Imus had signed a five-year, $40 million contract with CBS.

The announcement essentially makes Imus a free agent, and broadcast industry experts say he will be back on the air soon enough.

“I’ve been comparing this to a divorce, now both parties are able to move on,” said Tom Taylor of radio-info.com, a soundboard for news and information about the radio industry.

And, it’s possible he will be a different broadcaster now.

“He’s been on the air for decades and he’s always been outrageous, and has sort of made fun of groups of people and individuals, but it’s possible he’s going to be a little wiser, maybe think twice before speaking,” Taylor said.

Sharpton issued a statement Tuesday saying the settlement is a “a legal matter between a former employer and employee.”

But he added that it is “also a testimony to the movement of people that raised their voices to fire Imus that CBS would rather pay him off than keep him on. … To the rumors that Imus may resurface, wherever he resurfaces we at National Action Network and other groups will be watching and monitoring him.”

Other critics weren’t so forgiving.

Rutgers player Kia Vaughn filed suit against Imus, CBS and others on Tuesday for an undisclosed sum — claiming the offensive comments had damaged her reputation. A spokeswoman for CBS Radio declined to comment, and a lawyer for Imus did not return a call about the suit.

Vaughn’s attorney, Richard Ancowitz, said, “The full effect of the damage remains to be seen.”

“This is about Kia Vaughn’s good name,” Ancowitz said. “She would do anything to return to her life as a student and respected basketball player — a more simple life before Imus opened his mouth.”

Rutgers spokeswoman Stacey Brann said basketball coach C. Vivian Stringer was on vacation and not available to comment.

Former NFL quarterback Boomer Esiason and New Jersey radio personality Craig Carton were named Tuesday to take over Imus’ former morning time slot on WFAN, the CBS-owned New York radio station that was Imus’ flagship.

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Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Tom Canavan and Rebecca Santana contributed to this report.  Copyright 2007 Associated Press

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