CPR EXAMINES REGGAE'S INFLUENCE ON URBAN MUSIC IN AMERICA

Brooklyn, N.Y., June 13th ... As celebrations flourish to honor Black Music Month and Caribbean Heritage Month, the June forum of the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music (CPR) scheduled for Tuesday, June 28th will examine reggae's influence on urban music in America.

The forum which takes place at the 3Ten Lounge, 310 Bowery, (between Houston and Bleecker Streets) in lower Manhattan from 6:30pm to 10:30pm will also include live performances.

The forum will examine this phenomenon against a backdrop of pop artists Bruno Mars, Amy Whinehouse and Rihanna scoring big with recent singles that are heavily flavored with reggae rhythms, and the success of the Damian Marley/Nas collaboration on the album "Distant Relatives".

According to Carlyle McKetty, "The story of the impact of Jamaica's culture on world history remains largely untold." He further states that, "It is a little known fact that Harry Belafonte, with his folk songs inspired by Jamaican culture was the first artist to sell a million records in the United States."

Reggae's influence on Hip Hop is also a story that needs to be told. Kool Herc, the "Father of Hip Hop" will be on hand as a panelist to tell this story as will, Jon "FX" Crawford, award winning music producer, and publicist, deejay and radio host DJ Hard Hittin' Harry who remains one of the most sought after party deejays in the tri-state area.

Billboard contributor, Pat Meschino and educator/author Ptah Shabbaz, will lend their voices to the discussion as Commentators. The evening's showcase performance will feature Major Daps, Dub Poet Infinity as well as Hip Hop artist, SK of Pifstars Entertainment.

The forum is free and open to the public and the community is invited to come out on June 28th and participate in what promises to be an exciting and well informed conversation. The forum will also be streamed live on CPRLive via www.cprreggae.org. 

For more information, visit www.cprreggae.org, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 718-421-6927.  Take the #6 train to Bleecker Street or the F train to 2nd Avenue. 

Sponsors for the CPR Community Conversation Series are: Lounge, INTACS, Totally Delicious, WVIP, TSO Productions, Charles Mellers and Full Spectrum Sounds.

About CPR

The Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music, Inc. (CPR) is a not for profit organization that works to preserve the reggae art form and its traditional message of healing and unity. The mission of the Coalition is to raise the bar in the creation, development, promotion and presentation of reggae music; to elevate the profile of its purveyors; and to research, codify, curate and disseminate information about the genre so as to increase understanding of its development, its significance, and its influence around the world. CPR conducts forums, presents events and broadcasts radio programs about reggae music and is open to all reggae lovers.