Tag: activism

JAN 23, 2012 - Outspoken rapper activist Lupe Fiasco, started a controversy and debate, after his set "ended early" or he was "silenced and kicked off stage" depending on who you talk to at a recent presidential inauguration event held by Startup RockOn. At first it did seem a free speech issue, but after I looked into it deeper, it seems more that they let him have free speech for 20 to 30 minutes, but the staff saw and heard the negative reaction by the crowd to the jarring and repetitive rap, and asked him to move on to another song. It seems to me at that point Lupe got confrontational, and decided to keep on with the rant. The organizers then cut his mike and dimmed the lights, and he refused to leave the stage; forcing the organizers to physically escort him off stage. Even the organizers, Startup RockOn said in a statement, "We are staunch supporters of free speech, and free political speech. This was not about his opinions. Instead, after a bizarrely repetitive, jarring performance that left the crowd vocally dissatisfied, organizers decided to move on to the next act.” Many though are screaming his free speech rights were totally violated. Watch a video by NowThisNews.com of a few clips of his performance below and see for yourself.

What's your reaction to this? Head on over to our Facebook page and join the discussion! http;//www.facebook.com/justicethroughmusic

JAN 21, 2013 - Kelly Clarkson sang the full version of "My Country 'tis of Thee" at President Barack Obama's second inauguration, check out the video below.

JAN 21, 2013 - The President and the first lady, Michelle Obama, held a concert for military kids at the Washington Convention Center yesterday. Katy Perry, Usher and more were there to rock for the kids of military families, who go through so much with their father or mother stationed overseas for long periods of time. See some pics and read more about the concert on HuffPo here. Check out a video clip from vnewsvevo on Youtube below.  (photo credit:HuffPo)

JAN 21, 2013 - Raw Story has a great post up about what JTMP blogged a few months back about, "Artists Against Fracking", and how Yoko and Sean Lennon are getting involved in the fight against fracking. Yoko comments in the article, “It’s not just for me, but for New York State and New York City as well. But also when we lose this game we’re losing not just for New York State but for the United States and for Britain. I’m getting letters from Britain saying, ‘Yoko, please do something, they’re starting to frack here.’” Read more on RawStory here. 
(photo credit: RawStory)

JAN 11, 2013 - Taylor Swift has been very active in the musical activist field, and she has been rewarded with all her great work with awards and recognition. On December 3, 2012, she was awarded the Ripple of Hope Award at the Robert F. Kennedy Center. The RFK Center hands out the award to individuals who "reflect Robert Kennedy's passion for equality, justice, basic human rights, and his belief that we all must strive to make gentle the life of this world." They held a huge gala, and she even performed Starlight for the crowd (see lyric video below of studio track). To read more about the event and see some pictures check out a cool website started by a fan called TaylorSwift13.org dedicated to showing all the activism and great charitable work she does.

Taylor Swift was also named #1 by DoSomething.org in their Top 20 Celebs Gone Good contest recognizing charitable and positive activist work in the community.

Finally, Taylor got over 4 million votes to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum, the most votes ever for an artist. To check out some pictures of her Treasures From The World Tour exhibit, click HERE. JTMP wants to applaud Taylor's awesome work she is doing, and congratulate her on all her success; she deserves it! You go girl!