Irma Lemus
MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- Calling for an end to the glorification of drug
use in a weekly radio program hosted by a popular rapper, a Pasadena
coalition protested outside of Power 106 radio station.
Saturday's protest brought out about 70 people to the Power 106
offices at 2600 W. Olive Ave., organizers said.
Day One, a nonprofit coalition of ministers, church members and young
people, targeted the weekly show "Smoke-out Session," hosted by rapper
Snoop Dogg, because of its content. The group has called for a "Cease
Fire" campaign to abate the use of alcohol, marijuana, tobacco and other
drugs.
"Hip Hop music is the most popular music among young people... They
are influenced when [Snoop Dogg] starts off the show by encouraging the
listeners to get their 'blunts, lighters and bongs,"' said Michael
Browning, Day One executive director.
Power 106 spokeswoman Val Maki could not be reached for comment.
Browning said radio station management was irresponsible for allowing
the rapper to promote drug use on the airwaves.
"During one show, he played 'weed songs' that made reference to
smoking marijuana," Browning said, "Listeners wrote them down and called
in. The winner got a box of 'blunts,"' said Browning.
In Hip Hop lingo, a blunt is cigar with the tobacco emptied out and
replaced with marijuana. Even though Power 106 gave away the cigars with
tobacco inside, the station was acting irresponsibly, Browning said.
Vicki Phillips, Day One publicity directory, said the organization is
not against Hip Hop music.
"We want people to know that we are not attacking Hip Hop music, we
just want to clean it up," Phillips said.
