Shirea L. Carroll

Invite Only

Industry Events, Lessons, Shine, and Nonsense. For those new and old to the industry, who want the real story.

What? You don't like OPRAH?

Posted 02/27/2008 at 1:02 PM | Comment?

5th ANNUAL HIP HOP SUMMIT ACTION AWARDS

The 5th Annual Hip Hop Summit Action Awards held at Capitale, New York, NY Feb 25, 2008, brought out a few known names and faces that have proven their dedication and commitment to community service and empowerment. Many of the celebrities in attendance, were eager to state some of their political views, along with what they thought about the upcoming election.

Valeshia Butterfield, Executive Director of the Action Awards, stepped on the red carpet looking fierce. Butterfield very well spoken, stated why she refrains from discussing where she stands on the election, "We're an non-partisan organization so we have to be politically correct. Tonight is night we celebrate, really get inovolved roll up our sleeves, and get active." That, however, didnt stop everyone else from speaking up.

Jim Jones, one of the honorees that night, stepped on the red carpet seeming to have rolled up more than his "sleeves". With squinted eyes, and lack of focus, Jimmy staggered down the red carpet, with his new bff, Damon Dash in tow, and met the press with a big smirk.

Damon Dash who is notorious for his assholish (is that a word?) qualities, seemed to be a bit more focused than his boy Jimmy. When asked who gets his vote Obama or Hilary, he became a proud advocate for Obama. "Barack, Obama, Obama, fo sho'! Black power before girl power," the politically minded Dame Dash stated.

The obessive lip licker, LL Cool J, made a apperance as well, wetting up the place with his comments on politics. "I'm an independent, when it comes to politics, I have funny beliefs. I do like what Obama's vision and what he is doing. The hip hop community needs to get out and vote," LL Cool J said after licking his lips for the 1,768th time.

Joining LL on the red carpet, was the overly media trained, Ciara, who also happened to be honored that night. Putting in a plug for her own organization, Ciara mentioned her college educated youth program that encourages other youth to vote. "I want the youth to be aware to the power we hold, we are future. My slogan is "Shake up the faith, don't wait." To busy gagging from the cheesy-ness of it all, you could of swore "We are the World" started to play in the background as she was speaking.

Ciara's little protegee Ms. Tiffany Evans, attended as well. Why was she there again?? O' yes, that's right she sang (or something kind of like that) for the presentation of Ciara's Action Award. When asked what she felt like was the biggest issue facing the hip hop community in the upcoming election, Tiff, went totally blonde, "Um that's a good question, I'm not sure, I'm not old enough to vote yet." Ms. Evans, we swore you just told us in your song "I'm Grown". Get it together, Ms. Thing.

Melody Hobson another honeree, forgot to dress to impress, but she stepped on the red carpet with the biggest accessory of the night - Mr. George "Star Wars" Lucas. Press wasn't as concerned with what Melody had to say, as much as they were that Mr. Lucas, writer/creator of Star Wars had jungle fever! When Mr. Lucas was asked his opinion on the upcoming election, he gathered all his face into one tight ball and shook his head no. Dont be scared George, let the force be with you.

Pharell Williams who presented Snoop with his award, also walked down the red carpet - ehm, very late. So late that much of the press didnt get to capture his FINE-ness until he was on stage. Once on stage he became that cute dude that you wished didn't open his mouth. "So what if Snoop smokes," Pharell barked to the crowd as all the weed heads started to cheer. Somehow the event took a weird turn for the advocacy of marijuana, when Pharell said, "Willie Nelson smokes, stop coming down on Snoop"

Snoop the biggest honoree of the night, stepped on the red carpet in the common laidback Snoop style. Snoop sans his wife, was more concerned talking about his growth as artist, rather than the growth of the country. "I am becoming more intellectual, becoming more active in the community, more of a leader. When I first came out I didn't really care. Now I'm trying to be more influential so kids can look up to me and say I want to be like Snoop Dog."

When Snoop accepted his award, his speech was the best of the night. In the speech Snoop responded to all his haters who speak on him having a extremely negative image. He came at one his haters in particular, "O' I dont like Oprah, and it is what is. She doesn't know me." You could hear crickets in the room, everyone looking at each other in shock. C'mon Snoop, isn't everyone supposed to like Oprah?