Sharpton Targets Rap Violence

The Reverend Al Sharpton is taking his fight against violence in rap music to the record labels and anyone who will listen.

The outspoken civil rights leader says he’s going to buy stock in record companies that produce hip-hop and use his status as a stockholder to speak his mind. He didn’t say how much stock he plans to buy or from which companies.

He also said he’ll be turning up the heat on the Federal Communications Commission.

“I do not understand how the FCC can make a lot of noise around Janet Jackson and that case with Howard Stern but has not said anything about a pattern of shooting and other violence at radio stations,” Sharpton said.

The Rev was referring to gun battles outside of Manhattan rap station WQHT involving the posses of 50 Cent and his G-Unit protégé Big Game’s, and the 2001 shooting involving Lil’ Kim‘s entourage and rival Capone N’ Noreaga‘s crew.

Sharpton accused the radio station of inciting violence by pushing rappers to bait each other on the air. He held a March 8th press conference to propose a 90-day ban on airplay for artists who use violence in their music to sell records.

“At what point does it go from programming to inciting,” he said. “I’m not giving up on rap music; I’m trying to make sure it’s rap music and not attack music.”