CHUCK D will headline "Detroit Rocks the Vote" at the Detroit Fillmore.
The 2008 election year continues to surprise and interest the populace. With the election only two months away, that energy will be on display at “Detroit Rocks the Vote,” on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at the Fillmore Detroit, 2115 Woodward Ave. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
“Detroit Rocks the Vote” is an officially sanctioned Rock the Vote event and will include a presentation by featured speaker Chuck D from the political rap group Public Enemy, who will speak about the importance of voting this November.
The event will also feature 12 local music artists ranging from hip-hop to garage rock. Laurie Robinson, editor of African American Family magazine, says the event is unique because it brings together so many genres.
“It is about the only MTV sanctioned ‘Rock the Vote’ event in Detroit,” Robinson said. “African American Family does an event a couple of times a year. Because there’s so much excitement in this election, it just made sense focusing one of our events on voting registration.”
She expects Detroiters to have a good time.
“It’s going to be high energy and fun,” Robinson said. “There will be opportunities to register to vote throughout the evening. You’re going to hear Chuck D (and) we’re excited to hear this intellectual powerhouse. People should expect to be educated and informed.”
MTV host and funk artist Nadir is one of the many acts scheduled to perform.
“This election is critically important because the failure of the last eight years have made it this important,” Nadir said. “I’m nonpartisan and ‘Detroit Rocks the Vote’ is nonpartisan, but definitely we need to see something different from the economic, war empiricist problems we’ve seen. It is important for young people to come out and vote.”
A big problem is that the average voter isn’t involved enough with local politics.
“We wouldn’t see as much corruption if more of our citizens were more engaged in the political process,” Nadir said. “My part is to give people information through my reporting and my music, to help them become more aware, to understand more about the world we’re living in, and help them decide to act.”
He hopes Detroiters come out for the event.
“It’s going to be a lot of great music and discussion of political ideas,” he said. “Expect to be engaged in the real life of the political process. We need to be aware of the world around us. Hopefully this helps people to become engaged much more.”
“Detroit Rocks the Vote” is sponsored by metromix.com Detroit and Urban Organic and is produced by African American Family magazine.
For tickets, visit any Ticketmaster location or www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased at the Fillmore box office, 2115 Woodward Ave. You can also call (313) 961-5451 for more information.
