Photo credit: Johnny Nunez
Photo: (from left to right): LL Cool J, Young Jeezy, Russell Simmons, T.I. and Don King

Washington, D.C. – January 20, 2009: One of the hottest Balls of the Inauguration took place tonight and this morning at Washington, D.C.’s Harman Center for the Arts, where hip-hop’s impact on the election of Barack Obama made itself clearly known. Russell Simmons, Chairman of the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) and one of the strongest voices in urging young people to get out the vote this election, co-hosted the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball with T.I., LL Cool J, Young Jeezy, Bow Wow and MC Lyte, while hip-hop star Nick Cannon and DJ D-Nice, took over the turntables. . Heineken was the Presenting Sponsor and MySpace Music Hip-Hop (www.myspace.com/hiphop) was the Platinum Online Sponsor of the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball.

“This celebration is well deserved,” declared Russell Simmons. “The work you have all done has created a tremendous shift in consciousness. The hip-hop community has made a difference.”

Photo: (from left to right) Spliff Star and Busta Rhymes

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball was a fundraiser for HSAN, the world’s largest coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives, to continue its non-profit work for education advocacy and other empowerment programs for young adults throughout the United States.

Photo: (from left to right) Hip Hop Caucus’ Reverend Yearwood, Young Jeezy, MC Lyte, Bow Wow, LL Cool J, HSAN Executive Director Valeisha Butterfield, Russell Simmons, T.I., HSAN President Dr. Benjamin Chavis

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball kicked off with a press packed and star-studded red carpet that stopped traffic on F Street. On the upper levels of the four level event, black tie revelers could be seen from the street, dancing and partying through the all glass façade of the Harman Center, brilliantly lit in red and green. On the downstairs Forum level, an old school dance party was going on with DJ Lil Mike spinning. The National GOTV Awards program followed, with guest celebrity DJ Nick Cannon rocking the house. The awards recognized the work of T.I., LL Cool J, Young Jeezy, Bow Wow, MC Lyte and Reverend Yearwood and the Hip Hop Caucus, who have made outstanding contributions to the largest young adult voter turnout in American history. The awards show concluded with a dramatic performance by Busta Rhymes that tore the roof off of the Harman Center ending in a standing ovation.

Sr. VP of Warner Music, Kevin Liles, who presented the award to T.I., gave a passionate and heartfelt introduction. “Hip-hop has to grow up,” Liles exclaimed. “We are doctors, we are lawyers, we are politicians, we are everywhere so its time to take responsibility for what we do, what we say and how we act.”

Photo: (from left to right) Young Jeezy and T.I.
T.I. affirmed, “When Reverend Yearwood and the Hip Hop Caucus reached out to me to join them in their efforts to get out the youth vote, I thought, ‘Why me?’ as a convicted felon under house arrest. But I realize now that it’s all God’s plan and exactly the way it’s supposed to be. All of the hardships I experienced turned out to be a blessing. Young people on the street relate to me because I have already been through what they are now going through. When I speak to them about the importance of voting, they pay attention.” As T.I. held up his award, he uttered, “Now that I’m headed to prison and when I’m in that cell alone and the lights go off, I will always remember this moment.”

“I told my wife ten years ago that this day would happen and she didn’t believe me,” LL Cool J shared. “Well, honey, I was right! This is an amazing time period for those who have to see in order to believe. Now you see.”

“I want to thank Barack Obama for showing us that you can make your goals as big as you want to,” Young Jeezy emphasized.

Young star Bow Wow explained, “This was my first time voting, and I realized if the kids can listen and recite my words, then why can’t I preach the word of positivity and get the fans to vote.”

“Tonight was a pivotal moment, not only for hip-hop, but also for the entire world that has been positively impacted by hip-hop,” shared Valeisha Butterfield, the Executive Director of HSAN. “We celebrated the inauguration of Barack Obama. We celebrated the outstanding contributions of hip-hop leaders to make this particular inauguration possible. We not only had the hottest Inaugural Ball, we had one of the most meaningful.”
The evening wrapped up at 2am with hip-hop icons, leaders and revelers joined in a spirit of unity around the promise of a new era for America ushered in by the election of Barack Obama.

“It is without any doubt that the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is now a part of the history of the transformation of America,” concluded Dr. Benjamin Chavis, President/CEO of HSAN. “We were more than witnesses to history. We are the participants in helping to shape the present and the future. People from around the world came out to celebrate with us. Barack Obama’s inauguration and the evolution of hip-hop culture have a defining congruence and, as a result, America and the human family around the world will never be the same.”

The exclusive radio partner for the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is CBS Radio WPGC 95.5 FM. The premiere online media partners were Global Grind, www.globalgrind.com, Politico.com and the celebrity, gossip and entertainment news site Young, Black & Fabulous, www.TheYBF.com.

New York, NY, January 14, 2009: Russell Simmons, Valeisha Butterfield, Dr. Benjamin Chavis and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), the world’s largest coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives, announced today that Bow Wow and MC Lyte have agreed to join the list of celebrity Co-Hosts for the upcoming Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, along with Russell Simmons, T.I., LL Cool J and Young Jeezy. The black tie charity gala will be held on January 19, 2009 at 8:00 pm, at the prestigious Harman Center for the Arts, 610 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC. Heineken is the Presenting Sponsor and MySpace Music Hip-Hop (www.myspace.com/hiphop) is the Platinum Online Sponsor of the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball.

“This is the hottest Inaugural Ball ticket in Washington, DC and we are near capacity,” stated Dr. Benjamin Chavis, HSAN’s President. A limited number of tickets can still be purchased on a first come, first served basis by going immediately to www.Hiphopinaugural.org, www.HSAN.org or to www.Globalgrind.com

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is a fundraiser with all ticket proceeds going to the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network to continue its non-profit work for education advocacy and other empowerment programs for young adults throughout the United States.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will kick off with a star-studded red carpet at 8 pm followed by award presentations of the National GOTV Awards, recognizing artists who have made outstanding contributions to the largest young adult voter turnout in American history. A VIP black tie gala and party will follow on all four levels of the venue, with each level having its own color decor and gala theme. The legendary DJ D-Nice will serve as the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball celebrity DJ throughout the whole night.

The exclusive radio partner for the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is CBS Radio WPGC 95.5 FM. The magazine partner is VIBE Magazine. The premiere online media partners are Global Grind, www.globalgrind.com, and the celebrity, gossip and entertainment news site Young, Black & Fabulous, www.TheYBF.com.

About Heineken USA
Heineken USA Inc, the nation’s premier beer importer, is a subsidiary of Heineken International BV, which is the world’s most international brewer. Brands imported into the U.S. include: Heineken Lager, the world’s most international beer brand; Heineken Premium Light; Amstel Light, a leading imported light beer brand; Newcastle Brown Ale, the leading imported ale in the United States; and Buckler non-alcoholic brew. Heineken USA is also the exclusive USA importer for the Tecate, Tecate Light, Dos Equis, Sol, Carta Blanca and Bohemia brands from FEMSA Cerveza of Mexico. Please visit EnjoyHeinekenResponsibly.com.

About MySpace Music:
MySpace Music is a landmark joint venture among MySpace, The EMI Group, SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, and Sony ATV, and whose independent music distribution partners include The Orchard, IODA, Alternative Distribution Alliance, RED, Fontana, and Caroline. MySpace Music offers an ever-growing catalog of freely streamable audio and video content, user-friendly e-commerce solutions, personal music players, and user and artist playlisting. MySpace Music aims to empower major, independent, and unsigned artists to monetize their content through multiple revenue streams by allowing the MySpace community to freely stream premium
content in an ad-supported environment, purchase MP3s and ringtones, create and share playlists, and ultimately buy merchandise, concert tickets, and other digital and physical goods. MySpace Music also connects artists and fans in the offline arena through various concert series and live events including Secret Shows, MySpaceLIVE!, Transmissions, The Release, Front to Back and The List.

About Hip-Hop Summit Action Network:
The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) is the largest, worldwide non- profit 501 c. 4, non-partisan coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives united in the belief that hip-hop is an instrumental agent for positive social change. HSAN is a social change, program driven non-profit organization that creates strong, effective relationships and brand loyalty between companies, organizations and their consumers. We are a full- service, multi-national organization dedicated to creating, planning and executing cause marketing campaigns for our partners. HSAN also has a sister organization entitled the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund 501 c.3.

New York, NY, January 5, 2009: Russell Simmons, Valeisha Butterfield, Dr. Benjamin Chavis and the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN), the world’s largest coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives, announced today that Heineken is the Presenting Sponsor and MySpace Music Hip-Hop (www.myspace.com/hiphop) is the Platinum Online Sponsor of the upcoming Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, a black tie charity gala, on January 19, 2009 at 8:00pm, at The Harman Center for the Arts, 610 F Street, N.W., Washington, DC.

Russell Simmons, HSAN Chairman and Co-founder, emphasized, “The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will be a fantastic gala and upscale party in celebration of Barack Obama being inaugurated President of the United States. We are also recognizing the outstanding contributions of T.I., LL Cool J and Young Jeezy in helping to turn out the largest young adult vote in American history.”

“Heineken is proud to be part of the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball, celebrating the drive and passion of artists who were instrumental in mobilizing voter turnout in this year’s election,” said Filip Wouters, Vice President of Marketing for the Heineken Brand Equity. “While all of these artists have achieved tremendous success through their music, Heineken further applauds their efforts to empower and encourage voters to take an active role in their futures by casting their votes in this historic election.”

MySpace Political Director, Lee Brenner stated, “It’s a great honor to be part of this momentous occasion and to be partnering with the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network for this celebration of positive change. As the biggest online community for Hip-Hop music, we feel that it is a privilege to help spread the word about the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball and all that it stands for.”

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is a fundraiser with all ticket proceeds going to the Hip-Hop Summit Action Network to continue its non-profit work in helping to serve as a catalyst for education advocacy and other empowerment programs for young adults throughout the United States.

Tickets can be purchased on a first come, first served basis by going to
www.Hiphopinaugural.org or www.HSAN.org.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball will kick off with a star-studded red carpet and celebrity sponsorship reception at 8pm at the Harman Center, followed by an awards presentation and a VIP black tie gala and party on all four levels of the venue. DJ D-Nice will serve as the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball Celebrity DJ throughout the whole night.

The exclusive radio partner for the Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball is CBS Radio WPGC 95.5 FM. The magazine partner is Vibe Magazine. The premiere online media partners are the online news and information epicenter for the Hip-Hop community, Global Grind, www.globalgrind.com, and the celebrity, gossip and entertainment news site Young, Black & Fabulous, www.TheYBF.com.

The Hip-Hop Inaugural Ball Host Committee is a select group of hip-hop leaders and artists who have expressed their endorsement and support including T-Pain, Akon, Bryan-Michael Cox, Big Jon Platt, Fat Joe, MC Lyte, Terrence J, Devyne Stephens, Mario, Ginuwine, DJ Don Cannon, Winky Wright, NFL players Baltimore Ravens’ Terrell Suggs, San Francisco 49ers’ Vernon Davis and Free Agent All Pro Defensive End, Simeon Rice.

About Hip-Hop Summit Action Network:
The Hip-Hop Summit Action Network (HSAN) is the largest, worldwide non- profit 501 c. 4, non-partisan coalition of hip-hop artists and entertainment industry executives united in the belief that hip-hop is an instrumental agent for positive social change. HSAN is a social change, program driven non-profit organization that creates strong, effective relationships and brand loyalty between companies, organizations and their consumers. We are a full- service, multi-national organization dedicated to creating, planning and executing cause marketing campaigns for our partners. HSAN also has a sister organization entitled the Hip-Hop Research and Education Fund 501 c.3.