Rapsody, Yasiin Bey to Headline Virtual Benefit Concert for Prison Reform

The benefit concert is part of the Black August call to action.

On Wednesday, Black August announced the lineup for its 22nd annual Black August Hip Hop Benefit Concert. M1 of dead prez will play host on August 30, starting at 4pm Eastern Standard time. Headliners include the legendary yasiin bey and Rapsody. Big K.R.I.T., Audio Push, and Sampa The Great will also make appearances. This year’s event is presented by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement and the Movement for Black Lives.

“This years Black August concert call to action is for prison reform,” the group said in a press release. “And the release of social justice political prisoners in the United States, some of whom that have been incarcerated for almost five decades as a result of their activism for the equality and freedom of Black, Brown and disenfranchised poor people in the US. Donation proceeds will benefit political prisoners in the U.S. and their freedom campaigns.”

Black August was founded by activists in the California prison system back in 1979.

“I’m supporting Black August because if we don’t care, if we don’t use our voice, if we don’t support these calls to action how can we progress?” Rapsody said. “So many before us, so many political prisoners, sacrificed for us to have the opportunities we are afforded today. I couldn’t create the art I do without some of those sacrifices. It is now my turn to do my part so that those now and after me will have even more freedoms and opportunities.”

View the full lineup over at Black August’s official website.