Squeaky Clean Rap-A-Thon

This Saturday marked the city’s first ever [24-hour rap marathon], held at the Hip Hop Cultural Center in Harlem where more than 100 rappers took the stage in the hopes of raising $250,000 to keep the center open during daily business hours (rather than by appointment only). There was only one rule—albeit a doozy—no profanity.

Organizers, like the [Global Artists Coalition] and Hot 97 radio, were motivated in part by the Imus controversy, and they anticipate the event will educate teenagers about the impact of the vocabulary that pervades hip-hop. [Russell Simmons](http://www.nypress.com/blogx/display_blog.cfm?bid=756747) would be so proud.

In addition to the rap-off, local politicians and business owners held a [dinner seminar] emphasizing the need for young people to explore other career options in case they don't exactly find the love as a rapper or DJ. Always a good idea.