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Rev. Al Sharpton Denies Dr. Dre Bribe

Reverend Al Sharpton has responded to claims that he offered an ultimatum to Dr. Dre during the height of the 50 Cent/Game feud: either give the civil rights leader half a million or he'd lead a march in opposition to the two rappers. The statement—released through his National Action Network—claims, "At no point has Reverend Al Sharpton or an authorized representative of National Action Network met with Dr. Dre. Interscope Records participated—as did other record companies—in National Action Network's previous Hip-Hip Town Hall meeting and has sponsored events at our annual national convention for several years. In fact, representatives of their companies appear in documentary footage by National Action Network raising the issue of responsibility of the music industry and artists. All of this happened after this incident and had no direct connection. Our work around this issue of responsibility in the music industry continues today."

50 Cent and the Game held their own press conference in May of 2005, calling a public truce and declaring a joint donation of $253,500 to the Boys Choir of Harlem. Their beef has risen to new heights in recent months, however. As for the Dr. Dre connection in all this, it comes from the rapper's longtime right hand man, Bruce Williams, who recently told hiphopdx.com, "In the [Game/50 Cent situation], [Sharpton] said if we didn't have a million, we marching. It's that easy." Williams elaborates on the situation in his new book, Rollin' With Dre.

—The ARTISTdirect Staff
05.22.08