The Chicago-based rapper Rhymefest will meet David Cameron - the leader of the Conservative Party in Britain – to change the stereotypical views the party has of the hip-hop music genre.
David Cameron, who will run for Prime Minister in the general election next year, said last June that hip-hop “encourages people to carry guns and knives,” and criticised Tim Westwood’s Hip-Hop Show which is aired on BBC Radio 1.
In response to this Rhymefest wrote a letter to the Conservative Party leader saying, “My challenge is to ask that you sit down and have a cup of tea with me. In fact, let me come and perform for you. I am sure you will see that rap music is more than murder music or knife culture.”
"If you truly believe this is a democracy then sit down and discuss with me the issues that you see. And if you are correct, and your opinion of rap music is the same, then we should come together with the community; rappers, politicians and radio DJs, and have a wider discussion...because, Mr Cameron, this generalisation is not all of us, it’s just a few bad apples that spoil the bunch...let’s solve the problem of the rap community in a civilised way and in a way that music can still be entertaining."
When his request was accepted the rapper was surprised.
"Whoever thought that the power of the pen was truly mightier than the sword? Coming from a ghetto on the South Side of Chicago, I know I didn't…maybe now it's time for me to accept my responsibility, face my trial in life and take my place in history."
Both the BBC and MTV will cover the meeting on October 19.
It is not uncommon for politicians to meet with musicians, although political commentators often characterise it as an attempt to win popularity amongst the youth.
Tony Blair sided with the world famous Oasis rock band during his campaign to become Prime Minister in the early 1990s. One of the lead singers of the band, Noel Gallagher, frequently voiced his support for Blair at the height of the rock group’s popularity and was later invited to 10 Downing Street after Blair was elected.
Rhymefest released his first official album, Blue Collar earlier this year.
He won the Scribble Jam contest in 2003 and also co-wrote ‘Jesus Walks’, a grammy-winning song performed by Kanye West.
David Cameron has used new approaches for his political campaigning including the release of a series of video podcasts from his website.
David Cameron, who will run for Prime Minister in the general election next year, said last June that hip-hop “encourages people to carry guns and knives,” and criticised Tim Westwood’s Hip-Hop Show which is aired on BBC Radio 1.
In response to this Rhymefest wrote a letter to the Conservative Party leader saying, “My challenge is to ask that you sit down and have a cup of tea with me. In fact, let me come and perform for you. I am sure you will see that rap music is more than murder music or knife culture.”
"If you truly believe this is a democracy then sit down and discuss with me the issues that you see. And if you are correct, and your opinion of rap music is the same, then we should come together with the community; rappers, politicians and radio DJs, and have a wider discussion...because, Mr Cameron, this generalisation is not all of us, it’s just a few bad apples that spoil the bunch...let’s solve the problem of the rap community in a civilised way and in a way that music can still be entertaining."
When his request was accepted the rapper was surprised.
"Whoever thought that the power of the pen was truly mightier than the sword? Coming from a ghetto on the South Side of Chicago, I know I didn't…maybe now it's time for me to accept my responsibility, face my trial in life and take my place in history."
Both the BBC and MTV will cover the meeting on October 19.
It is not uncommon for politicians to meet with musicians, although political commentators often characterise it as an attempt to win popularity amongst the youth.
Tony Blair sided with the world famous Oasis rock band during his campaign to become Prime Minister in the early 1990s. One of the lead singers of the band, Noel Gallagher, frequently voiced his support for Blair at the height of the rock group’s popularity and was later invited to 10 Downing Street after Blair was elected.
Rhymefest released his first official album, Blue Collar earlier this year.
He won the Scribble Jam contest in 2003 and also co-wrote ‘Jesus Walks’, a grammy-winning song performed by Kanye West.
David Cameron has used new approaches for his political campaigning including the release of a series of video podcasts from his website.