Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Kurtis Blow and Doug E. Fresh Introduce Rap’s First Official Union, The Hip Hop Alliance
Hip-Hop, perhaps the strongest and biggest music genre in the history of recorded music is banding together to form an official union.
The union, The Hip Hop Alliance was founded by legendary Hip-Hop artists, Chuck D of Public Enemy (Founder/President), Kurtis Blow (Founder/Vice President) and Doug E. Fresh (Founder/Board Member). The purpose and main focus of the Hip Hop Alliance are to represent the needs and matters of importance related to “the Hip Hop and R&B workforce through advocacy, information, and service.”
Even at the beginning stage of the union, the Hip Hop Alliance has already formed a strategic partnership with SAG-AFTRA. The collaborative efforts between the two organizations will focus on outreach and engagement within the Hip Hop and R&B community. The affiliation will benefit artists in being treated fairly in terms of contractual obligations and equitable pay, as one of the initiatives between the two organizations.
To bring attention and awareness to The Hip Hop Alliance, the union released a 1 and a half minute video featuring KRS-One. Making appearances in the video clip on their Instagram page are two other legendary Hip Hop artists, Slick Rick and Big Daddy Kane.
“Shout out to those who work behind the scenes to make Hip Hop Happen! Managers, Artists, Agents, Engineers and Producers what is the retirement plan, healthcare plan, and fare commission standards for us? What is a fare wage for what we do within “hip-hop” as an industry? Those that drive and assist artists, those that protect artists, those that promote the show, and those that sell merchandise, among other roles and responsibilities that make hip hop happen; Who speaks for us? What brings dignity and respect to the work that we do? Answer. The Hip Hop Alliance! With the knowledge, the skill, and the power of our collective voice, there is no reason why we cannot protect ourselves and our future! Find out more Hiphopalliance.org”
Other Hip Hop artists that are on the advisory board of Hip Hop Alliance include Slick Rick, DJ Hollywood, DJ Cassidy, DLB (Fearless 4), Grandmaster D (Whodini), Pebblee Poo, DJ Scratch, Willie D (Geto Boys), GrandWizard Theodore, Stevie D (Force MDs),Davy DMX, and Alonzo Williams.
