Anti-Dogfighting College Tour Kicks Off at FSU

The Humane Society of the United States and the Hip-Hop Journalism Association are pleased to announce the launch of their Hip-Hop for Hounds Anti-Dogfighting College Tour, which will kick off on Friday April 18th. The event, sponsored by the Sisters of the Alpha Omega Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, will be held in the Moore Auditorium at Florida State University.

Tio Hardiman, HSUS anti-violence advocate and dogfighting consultant, will address the topic of “Dogfighting and the Hip-Hop Culture.” Hardiman has toured the country speaking on gun violence and animal cruelty to the nation’s youth and inner city communities.

“It is good to see the Hip-Hop community rally round this issue of dogfighting — we need leaders from all sectors of society to help raise awareness about the plight of pit bulls throughout America,” Hardiman explained. “The average life span of a pit bull in the inner city is 18 months — let’s work together to change that reality.”

Other colleges hosting tour will include the University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Shaw University, University of Missouri – St. Louis and the University of Michigan. The first tour stop will consist of a town hall meeting followed by a panel discussion. The event’s finale will be an open-mic hip-hop contest with prizes awarded to the best raps against dogfighting.

Dr. Brian Sims, director of the Hip-Hop Journalism Association, has been helping to encourage the presence of The HSUS within the Hip-Hop community. “I applaud the Humane Society of the United States for proactively challenging stereotypes about dogfighting in Hip-Hop culture; they are a leader in educating not just Americans but the world about this issue and its implications for Hip-Hop,” Dr. Sims said. “The HHJA is proud to partner with The HSUS in the struggle to end dogfighting.”

Dogfighting is a felony in all 50 states. The HSUS offers a reward of up to $5,000 for tips leading to the arrest and conviction of dogfighters. It is estimated that over 140,000 people participate in dogfighting throughout the United States.

For further information on the Hip-Hop for Hounds Anti-Dogfighting College Tour please visit hhja.org or humanesociety.org.

5 Questions With….. MC Serch

Wednesday, 16 April 2008

MC Serch
Hip Hop Legend/Host/Lyricist
ego trip’s Miss Rap Supreme
Detroit, Michigan

1. I take it with the success of The (White) Rapper Show that there couldn’t really be another White Rapper Show, so this (ego trip’s Miss Rap Supreme) was born, how was the concept thought up and how will it compare to the original show?

With the White Rapper Show, Ego Trip was making a statement to where the culture has come from to where it is today. It is tough to be a white rapper, but it is even harder to be a female rapper. Ego Trip wanted a show that really gave the femcees a chance to have a platform that radio, video, and retail were not giving female emcees. I think that the only comparison to the original show is that it is done by Ego Trip. This show is a whole new experience.

2. Out of all the female rappers that have made their mark in this fickle industry, how and why was Yo-Yo chosen to co-host with you?

Yo represents two aspects of the female emcee. 1-she was from LA and took advantage of that to not only rap stardom by TV and film stardom as well. She also knows first hand the fickle side of the game and would be a great person to help focus these ladies on the goal and the prize. Women respect Yo Yo. She is a strong, personable and a beautiful women. 2-She could rap her ass off. Just think about her verse on “Bonnie and Clyde Theme”, or “I wanna be down” remix with Brandy. There was one time before we started shooting a scene and all the girls said “Hey Yo Yo,” and then started rhyming that verse back to her. She is a fantastic co-host.

3. Tell me what goes through the creative minds of the ego trip team and how did you hook up with them?

I have known the guys from the Ego Trip camp for almost 20 years. I met Sacha Jenkins and Elliot Wilson during the crazy hip hop days when they were involved with The Source and Vibe. My artists Nas was on the first cover of thier magazine. Brent, Mao and Gabe I met later through the NY hip hop scene. Ego Trip was doing a series with VH1 called Ego Trips: Race-O-Rama” and one of the specials was about white guys in urban culture called “Dude, where’s my Ghetto Pass”. They talked to several black artists and when they asked them who gets a ghetto pass they all said, Serch. Ego Trip called me to do that show and six months later asked me to do the pilot for The White Rapper Show. The rest is herstory.

4. Why do you think, with as wide an audience that Hip-Hop has, that the white rapper and/or the female emcee hasn’t thrived as well as they could or should have?

White Rappers are thriving in the underground and making a living touring and with merchandise. Look at El-P and his Def Jux Label, or Ill Bill and Non-Phixion or La Cocka Nostra, or Necro. All of these artists are making a living being emcees. Struggling sometimes, but certainly not working day-to-day jobs. Females are another story. I can’t really call why they don’t work. From a label standpoint you always hear that females are such high maintenance. They need stylist to travel with them and a camp around them as opposed to a male who just needs a fresh beater and some AF1’s. That is the story the labels tell you. From a retail standpoint, I just don’t understand why females rappers can’t sell records. It blows me away. Sorry, but I got no answer, but hopefully Ego Trips: Miss Rap Supreme will be a door for these hopeful young women to get out there and be heard and seen.

5. What is next for MC Serch?

Hopefully Season 3. I also have a syndicated radio show called the “Old Skool Show” that is out now in stations around the country. I am very blessed.