A NIGHT WITH DR. CORNEL WEST AND TAVIS SMILEYLast night I ran into longtime friend Tavis Smiley at a Christmas shin dig around midnight. He, Dr. Cornel West and some other fellas had just left Stevie Wonder's Christmas Concert in LA described as being phenomenal. It was good seeing my frat and brother West just being regular guys. Well come Tuesday, Smiley and Hidden Beach Recordings will host a black carpet affair featuring the renowned professor in his latest novel approach at empowering our community through word and song on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007 in Los Angeles.
This listening experience, titled "Never Forget," (appropriately named after Dr. West's most recent album, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations) will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Element, 1642 N. Las Palmas in Los Angeles. "As the preeminent African American scholar and social critic of our time, the release of his CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations, celebrates many of the pillars of Beyond February, Allstate's commitment to the African American community everyday.'' The album includes collaborations with musical moguls such as Prince, Andre 3000, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, Black Thought and many more.
Dr. West, author of the American classic Race Matters, has taken this opportunity to highlight the African American musical imprint on American history while tactfully empowering youth to help affect change in our underserved communities. "I think the younger generation, you see, they look at me and they say, 'What is this old brother doing in hip-hop?' And I say, 'Well, I am the Curtis Mayfield, Stax, Motown, Philly sound version of hip-hop.' So I consider myself in the hip-hop community," West says.
Admission for the event is free for individuals who RSVP while space is available. A $20 donation is suggested the day of the event for attendees who did not RSVP.
This listening experience, titled "Never Forget," (appropriately named after Dr. West's most recent album, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations) will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Element, 1642 N. Las Palmas in Los Angeles. "As the preeminent African American scholar and social critic of our time, the release of his CD, Never Forget: A Journey of Revelations, celebrates many of the pillars of Beyond February, Allstate's commitment to the African American community everyday.'' The album includes collaborations with musical moguls such as Prince, Andre 3000, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, Black Thought and many more.
Dr. West, author of the American classic Race Matters, has taken this opportunity to highlight the African American musical imprint on American history while tactfully empowering youth to help affect change in our underserved communities. "I think the younger generation, you see, they look at me and they say, 'What is this old brother doing in hip-hop?' And I say, 'Well, I am the Curtis Mayfield, Stax, Motown, Philly sound version of hip-hop.' So I consider myself in the hip-hop community," West says.
Admission for the event is free for individuals who RSVP while space is available. A $20 donation is suggested the day of the event for attendees who did not RSVP.