New hope for hip-hop in television debut - The Boston Globe

Weekly show aims to broaden appeal, tackle stereotype

Mattapan reggae artist Reginal "Kleva Kidd" Pierre and Jemina "J." Simone, a singer from Dorchester, are the hosts of "617 Live!" "617 Live!

," a weekly hip-hop themed television show hosted by Mattapan reggae artist Reginal "Kleva Kidd" Pierre and Jemina "J." Simone , a 24-year-old singer from Dorchester, was to make its television debut last night on cable channel 26 in what its producers hope will widen the appeal of hip-hop.
The show will feature music videos, then interviews with local and national hip-hop artists.

Interviews with national acts such as Redman , Supernatural , and reggae artist Sizzla have already been recorded.
Discussions will include politics, art, dance, urban music, food, fashion, and social issues. Pierre and Simone will report live every week from WCEA-TV's studios on Albany Street.

The station carries mostly Hispanic and Caribbean programming.
The show's producers are the owners of the Mass. Industry Committee LLC, a private group of music producers, singers, and promoters of hip-hop.

They say hip-hop's rap music is often unfairly associated with youth violence because of some of the lyrics.
"People think hip-hop causes violence," said Dana "Daneja" Bradley , 36, of Dorchester, founder of the Mass. Industry Committee .

"There are just violent people. People need to get out of that mentality."
Bradley said he hopes to shatter stereotypes about hip-hop and open doors that have been closed to hip-hop entrepreneurs like himself.

He said commercial radio, as well as local club owners, have not been entirely supportive of the hip-hop culture in Boston, and feels this lack of an artistic release actually contributes to problems in the city's neighborhoods.
Cindy Diggs , founder of the Peace Boston 2006 campaign, who is not affiliated with the hip-hop group, agreed.
The hip-hop community "gets blamed for all of the problems," she said.

"There are a lot of talented kids in the city and there is nothing for them. . .

. Young people need to know there are other things they can do."
Diggs said "617 Live!

" will instill hope by helping give young people different goals.
A debut half-hour episode, which was scheduled to play back to back last night, features Bradley and the other four partners in the committee: Lyvinston Bien-Aime , Pete "Lyrical" Plourde , Irvin Alcindor , and Hector "Big Hek" Solano .
After describing their goals and aspirations for Boston's hip-hop culture, they planned to showcase music videos from Boston artists such as Daniel Laurent and JV Darapsinga.

The committee's founders also plan to screen behind the scenes footage from their hip-hop award show, which was held June 17 at the John Hancock Hall in the Back Bay.
Started in 2003, the industry committee has about 35 members, who include artists, producers, photographers, promoters, label owners, singers, and dancers, as well as the five principal owners, who are all involved in the industry. It used to boast a membership close to 100 in 2004 but had to cut down on people who, Bradley said, could not meet the time commitment.

The group has focused on developing Boston's urban music community and scene through a series of meet and greet networking sessions, press conferences, and performances, culminating in its inaugural award show.