Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, more to rock J.A.M. Awards

Published at 2:36 PM on October 4, 2007

By Jeremy Goldmeier

Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, more to rock J.A.M. Awards

[Above: Run-D.M.C., Jam Master Jay at far left]

While rock supremacy theorists continue to harp on the worst that rap has to offer (just wait until you read the hate mail we got for that Kanye West cover!), the hip-hop community has continued to churn out provocative artists.

On Nov. 29, the J.A.M. (Justice, Arts & Music) Awards aim to shed light on "the most positive aspects of rap" with an industry clambake and all-star concert at New York's Hammerstein Ballroom. Given the sordid history of certain other hip-hop extravaganzas, it's nice to see one with positivity as its M.O. Tickets for the general public just went on sale today through Ticketmaster.

Named after the late Run-D.M.C. DJ, Jam Master Jay (aka Jason Mizell), the awards will benefit the Jam Master Jay Foundation for Music, created by the turntablist's wife Terri Corley-Mizell and former bandmate Darryl "D.M.C." McDaniels. Both will serve as hosts to the event, with a list of scheduled performers that reads like the roster for the perfect summer block party: Snoop Dogg, De La Soul, Marley Marl, Q-Tip, Raekwon, Mobb Deep, Dead Prez and D.M.C. himself. But just where is Rev. Run in all this? Hopefully not filming more episodes of Run's House. For the sake of the children, Rev., pull the plug on that series!

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