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Al Sharpton Will March to Censor Rap Lyrics

The Reverend Al Sharpton doesn't think Russell Simmons' recent demand for hip-hop's self-censorship is effective enough. The reverend and his National Action Network will protest offensive language in hip-hop with a March For Decency on May 3rd in New York walking from major label office to major label office.

"We aren't marching against artists—we are marching against record companies to ban these words completely," says Tamika Mallory, leader of the NAN's decency initiative. "It's nice that Russell Simmons asked for these words to be bleeped out, but if we start from the top and ban them, then we won't have to answer questions at the bottom."

The march will end at the Apollo Theater in Harlem to commemorate the late James Brown's 74th birthday. "James Brown always said we needed to clean up our music," continued Mallory. "This was something he always talked about in his life and so it made sense for this march to take place on this day."

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
05.01.07