Yasmin Shiraz's Politics of Hip Hop Culture Tour

Yasmin Shiraz, Author of two hip hop culture novels EXCLUSIVE & PRIVACY and former Mad Rhythms Magazine publisher is embarking on a series of book talks on college campuses and bookstores discussing the behind-the- scenes politics of hip hop culture. Drawing on her twelve years involved in the entertainment industry as publisher, marketing consultant, journalist, and researcher, Shiraz has crafted two breakout novels, EXCLUSIVE & PRIVACY, that drip of realism, dramatic storytelling and backstage incidents that you won’t see on television.

Behind-the-scenes of Hip Hop Culture --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sexism Exposed!
Shiraz will expound on some of the sexual exploitation issues that were raised in the best selling book, Video Vixen by Karrine Stephens. Though Yasmin Shiraz’s experiences are often compared to that of Ms. Stephens, Shiraz notes, “As an entertainment executive my experiences were different because I had money, power and respect in ways that the video vixen did not. That doesn’t mean that I was treated better, it means that our experiences differ but both of our stories need to be told.”

Capitalism Detailed!
Working directly with record labels such as Interscope, Universal Music Group and Def Jam Records, Shiraz was often negotiating promotional opportunities and creating publicity awareness for hip hop artists. Within these circumstances, in their precarious cutthroat glory, Shiraz received experiences that became the foundation of her novels, Exclusive (Rolling Hills Press, 2005) and Privacy (Rolling Hills Press, 2006.)

Racism Examined!
Though the majority of hip hop's recording artists are people of color, the power structure remains a Eurocentric white male domain. But why? The answer will shock you.

Tour Dates:

October 5, 2006, 7pm, Georgetown University, Walsh 396, Washington, DC

October 6, 2006, 12pm, Borders, The Gallery Mall, Philadelphia, PA

October 6, 2006, 4pm , Black & Noble Books, Philadelphia, PA

October 7, 2006, 2pm, Waldenbooks, Owings Mills Mall, Owings Mills, MD

October 7, 2006, 5pm, Beyond the Pages, Owings Mills Mall, Owings Mills, MD

October 21, 2006, 1pm, Waldenbooks, Regency Square Mall, Richmond, VA

October 21, 2006, 4pm, Waldenbooks, VA Center Commons, Glen Allen, VA

October 26, 2006, 6pm, Hampton University, Martin Luther King Bldg, Hampton, VA

October 27, 2006, 6pm, Waldenbooks, Military Circle Mall, Norfolk, VA

November 4, 2006, 1pm, Waldenbooks, Green Acres Mall, Valley Stream, NY

November 4, 2006, 4pm, Borders, Kings Plaza Mall, Brooklyn, NY