*In response to prevalent societal ills within the African American community, rapper KRS-One has decided to revive his Stop the Violence movement with a new slate of participants and an updated vision.

      The Bronx-born artist launched the movement nearly 20 years ago with the release of "Self Destruction," a single featuring prominent rappers of the day delivering verses about the effects of violence within the black community.

      Artists supporting the 2008 Stop the Violence movement include 50 Cent, Ludacris, Lil' Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Rick Ross, Martin Luther King III, and others, according to Web site hiphopdx. 

       "We are in a state of emergency--school shootings, nooses being hung from trees, domestic violence, gang violence, police brutality and war," KRS-One said in a statement released earlier this week. "It is most appropriate that I announce the revitalization of the Stop the Violence Movement as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s 79th birthday."      

       The Stop the Violence Movement will attempt to accomplish its goals of raising awareness, healing and moving toward truth and solutions through lecture tours, concerts, workshops, symposiums and media campaigns.       

       Doug E. Fresh, Daddy-O of Stetsasonic, X-Clan affiliate Lin Que and representatives from the Zulu Nation, all members of the original movement, have also agreed to help.