For Immediate Release - (Rap Newswire) - Hiphop and Books has lit a firestorm among regional and established recording artists when it comes to using their influence, fame and celebrity to promote reading---and it appears the appeal is gaining more traction even among the major entertainment markets.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the support that BET, MTV and even VH1 has shown our coalition," says Cyrus A. Webb, President of Conversations Book Club and Founder of the Hiphop and Books project. "There is alot more to come, with other nationally recognized artists already alligning themselves with the project. We are rolling them out slowly to keep the attention on the bigger message: If they can take out the time to read then everyone should." (The coalition includes dozens of artists from across the country and even some of those involved in the production of music and television. Before October 2008 look for VJs from MTV to come forward and openly support the project as well.)
In her statement provided to Webb, Abiola Abrams said the following:
"The reason I chose to write my debut novel Dare as a love letter to women in hip hop is that this diverse and powerful music has many aspects and therefore needs more powerful voices than just the handful of corporate artists that tend to dominate. Cyrus A. Webb's hip hop literary project is very much needed in our communities and has my full support. We should do anything any everything that we can to build bridges between all generations and this project does exactly that. Great work!"

Though Hiphop and Books was Webb's brainchild, he by no means takes full credit for it. "I feel blessed to be working with individuals such as Ms. Abrams and the host of artists that have joined our cause," he says. "We are making a difference. People who normally would think twice about reading a book are giving it a chance. That is all we hoped for, and that hope is now a reality."

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Author: C. A. Webb