This email was sent to Russell Simmons and Kevin Liles of Def Jam Records asking them to intervene and prevent Musiq Soulchild from performing in Cincinnati ("Sin City"), Ohio.

The most relevant quote might be:

"...Def Jam is a politically conscience organization known for supporting, among other things, "Rock The Vote" and the "Hip Hop Summit Action Network." The city also knows that Def Jam's own artist Ludacris was disrespected by Pepsi, and that disrespect resulted in Russell Simmons calling for a boycott of Pepsi. We do not believe Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Musiq, and Def Jam only support economic boycotts when they are the parties who stand to benefit. That's why we are confident that Musiq and Def Jam were unaware of the Cincinnati Boycott prior to agreeing to play in the new 'Sun City.'"

The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati PO Box 6383 Cincinnati, OH 45206 513.235.4945 www.boycottcincinnati.org

April 12, 2003

Russell Simmons c/o Jody Miller Rap The Vote Advisory Board Co-Chair

Kevin Liles Island Def Jam Music Group Executive Vice President 89 Bradhurst Avenue New York, New York 10039

and

Musiq Soulchild Def Soul Recording Artist

Dear Sirs:

The Coalition for a Just Cincinnati (CJC) is a human rights organization. We need your help. We have been informed that Musiq Soulchild is scheduled to visit Cincinnati and perform at the University of Cincinnati (UC) on April 19, 2003. We understand that this is short notice but we are asking you to reconsider this appearance.

Almost two years ago, on July 14, 2001, the CJC called for a boycott of Cincinnati. The boycott includes a call for national and international sanctions on travel and tourism. We ask Cincinnatians not to spend money in the downtown business district, and we ask non-Cincinnatians, through our "artists of conscience campaign," not to visit our city.

Many artists, entertainers, and people of "conscience" have heard our plea and honored the Cincinnati Boycott. These people include, but are not limited to, Dr. Bill Cosby, Spike Lee, Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, Whoopi Goldberg, Smokey Robinson, and Wynton Marsalis. The National Urban League, the Progressive Baptist Ministers’ Conference, the Black Airline Mechanics, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference have all moved their scheduled conventions from Cincinnati. Groups honoring the Cincinnati Boycott include the Temptations, the O-Jays, and the Harlem Gospel Choir. These individuals, conventions, and groups are only a few who have honored the Cincinnati Boycott because of their concern over the racial, economic, and political climate in Cincinnati.

As time goes on, and more artists and organizations learn the truth about Cincinnati, support for the Cincinnati Boycott grows. Rev. Al Sharpton (a strong supporter of the Hip Hop Summit), and Martin Luther King, III both support the Cincinnati Boycott. Recently, the boycott received support from Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the United Church of Christ in the form of promises not to come to Cincinnati. Just last Friday, noted human rights and anti-apartheid fighter Randall Robinson turned down $10,000 and refused to speak at the UC Law School!

The Cincinnati Boycott was conceived as a nonviolent response to the problems exposed almost two years ago after Timothy Thomas, an unarmed 19 year old Black man, was shot and killed by Cincinnati police officers. As you probably know, civil unrest shook this city after Timothy Thomas was killed. The Cincinnati Boycott has become our nonviolent way of forcing the city to end police brutality and economic apartheid. But more than that, the Cincinnati Boycott is our way of empowering young, poor, neglected members of the hip hop community to stand up, "rock the vote" and take control of our political situation.

You should know that this struggle hasn't been easy. The city has fought the Cincinnati Boycott in a number of ways. The city, through the Cincinnati Arts Association, sued the CJC, and with the help of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, we prevailed. The city has invested thousands of dollars in a public relations campaign to convince non-Cincinnatians that the city is making progress on our issues. The city has threatened, demonized, and jailed Cincinnati Boycott leaders. (Our mayor, Mr. Charlie Luken, actually calls Cincinnati Boycott leaders "economic terrorist.")

Through it all, African American, poor, and homosexual citizens of Cincinnati have stood strong. We have not let the city's pressure stop us from doing what we know is morally and ethically right. We refuse to participate in our own oppression any longer. We want change, and we are willing to do whatever it takes to bring about that change. The people of Cincinnati have come to know Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Musiq, and Def Jam as freedom fighters, and our hope is that you do not let us down.

You should know that people from the city, some with Black skin, will pressure Musiq to help break the boycott. These people would love to use Musiq's appearance against our fight for justice. The city knows that Musiq is an artist with Def Jam. They know Def Jam is a politically conscience organization known for supporting, among other things, "Rock The Vote" and the "Hip Hop Summit Action Network." The city also knows that Def Jam's own artist Ludacris was disrespected by Pepsi, and that disrespect resulted in Russell Simmons calling for a boycott of Pepsi. We do not believe Russell Simmons, Kevin Liles, Musiq, and Def Jam only support economic boycotts when they are the parties who stand to benefit. That's why we are confident that Musiq and Def Jam were unaware of the Cincinnati Boycott prior to agreeing to play in the new "Sun City."

Please know that people will attempt to confuse you about the Cincinnati Boycott. People will tell you that the boycott is over. They will tell you that the boycott is limited to a downtown Cincinnati "boycott zone," and that Musiq's scheduled performance at UC doesn't violate the boycott. They will tell you that the boycott only hurts African Americans, and that only African American entertainers are asked to honor the Cincinnati Boycott. They will tell you that the boycott is led by anti-Semites. These things are all false.

The truth is that the Cincinnati Boycott is far from over. The sanctions on travel and tourism for non-Cincinnatians extend to anywhere in the city limits. Leaders in the Cincinnati Boycott do not limit our appeals to African-Americans (see link #1 below to read Barbara Ehreinreich's open letter explaining why she honored the boycott). And no anti-Semites lead the Cincinnati Boycott movement.

Please also know that if Musiq honors our request and cancels his visit to Cincinnati, he will, undoubtedly, be called bad names in the media. They will call him ignorant and naive, among other things. (They did this to Dr. Cosby, Spike Lee, Barbara Ehrenreich, and Martin Luther King, III).

It has been truly amazing to witness the coming together of so many factions in the name of justice and equality despite intense pressure to retreat. We are ever inspired and rejuvenated. We are determined and unafraid. We are asking that you help us in this effort by honoring the Cincinnati Boycott. Do not come to Cincinnati until justice and equality are won. With help from people like you, who refuse to support a system that oppresses people, we will win.

If you would like further information about the boycott or our organization, please feel free to log on to our website at www.boycottcincinnati.org. Or, if you have any questions, feel free to contact me directly at (513) 235-4945 or at natelivingston@boycottcincinnati.org. You can also contact my co-chair, Amanda Mayes, at AmandaEMayes@hotmail.com.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

1. Letter from author Barbara Ehrenreich published in the Cincinnati Post. http://www.cincypost.com/2003/03/18/oguest031803.html

2. Cincinnati Post article reporting on Spike Lee's cancellation at the University of Cincinnati. http://www.cincypost.com/2003/01/27/spike012703.html

3. MTV News story reporting on Wyclef Jean's cancellation at the University of Cincinnati. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1453743/20020502/story.jhtml

Yours In The Struggle, Nathaniel Livingston, Jr. Coalition For A Just Cincinnati Co-Chair -- Boycott Cincinnati!