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Remembering When East Coast Hip-Hop Stars Joined in the Charity Single Trend in 1989
In 1989, KRS-One brought together leading East Coast hip-hop artists for “Self Destruction”, a charity single opposing violence. The track mattered because it adapted the established all-star benefit-song format to rap while retaining the energy, creativity and directness of a major collaborative hip-hop record.
The project emerged from the Stop The Violence Movement after violence affected Boogie Down Productions’ community, including DJ Scott La Rock’s 1987 killing and the death of a fan at a 1988 concert. Contributors included Kool Moe Dee, Heavy D, Doug E. Fresh and Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Flavor Flav; LL Cool J, prevented from performing by his label, helped MC Lyte write her verse. Produced by KRS-One, D Nice and Hank Shocklee, the single received heavy hip-hop radio and MTV exposure and raised more than $100,000 for the Urban Defense League.
In short
- “Self Destruction” united major rappers against violence in 1989.
- KRS-One organised the song through the Stop The Violence Movement.
- The charity single raised over $100,000.
Explained simply
In 1989, prominent East Coast hip-hop artists came together to record a charity single called "Self Destruction". The song was created to oppose violence in their communities as part of the Stop The Violence Movement.
The project arose in response to violence that had directly affected the hip-hop community. DJ Scott La Rock, a member of Boogie Down Productions, was killed in 1987, and a fan died at one of their concerts the year after. It brought together leading rappers including Kool Moe Dee, Heavy D, Chuck D and MC Lyte, with production from KRS-One, D Nice and Hank Shocklee.
The single achieved substantial airplay on hip-hop radio and MTV, and raised more than $100,000 for the Urban Defense League. The track was significant because it successfully applied the all-star charity-song format to hip-hop whilst maintaining the energy, creativity and directness of major collaborative hip-hop records.