On Saturday, October 11, 2008, in his hometown of Compton, California, Eric ‘Lil Eazy E’ Wright Jr., son of the late rapper Eazy E, helped to kick off the MY HOOD VOTES© voter registration and education campaign. Beginning at the home of grandparents on the 16700 of S. Muriel in Compton, Lil Eazy E and MY HOOD VOTES© founder journalist Jasmyne Cannick led an all-star group of celebrities, entertainers, and community activists throughout downtown Compton registering and educating would be and non-likely voters. Those that came out to support included comedian Guy Black (Radio Free 102.3 KJLH radio personality), actress Terra Menyone, (”The Shield”), Felicia “The Poetess” Morris (co-host The Foxx Hole w/Jamie Foxx), Minister Tony Muhammad (Nation of Islam), and 93.5 The Beat FM.

Originally the concept of journalist and political activist Jasmyne Cannick, MY HOOD VOTES© is a grassroots education and mobilization campaign designed to engage non-traditional voters in underserved Black neighborhoods commonly referred to as ‘the hood.’ MY HOOD VOTES© is unique in that it has partnered with rappers and entertainers on educating ex-felons on their right to vote as well as other non-traditional voters who aren’t influenced by elected officials, who don’t watch the news or political debates, who aren’t online, and who are not currently engaged in the upcoming election, other than knowing that a Black man is running for President. These potential voters are often overlooked by voter education campaigns in an effort to reach more likely voters such as the Black middle class and seniors. Currently centered in Southern California, MY HOOD VOTES© has plans to expand over the next four years into a national effort.

MY HOOD VOTES© is a collaborative effort led by Eric ‘Lil Eazy E’ Wright Jr., who serves as an official spokesperson, founder Jasmyne Cannick, and co-organizers Amy Malone, C.E.O. of G.I.C. Public Relations, Felicia “The Poetess” Morris, co-host The Foxx Hole w/Jamie Foxx and co-organizer, and journalist and community activist Niele Anderson.

To bring MY HOOD VOTES© to your ‘hood,’ email us at 411@myhoodvotes.com.

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Rapper Lil Eazy E Continues
Father’s Legacy of
Community Involvement
with the Launch of
‘My Hood Votes’ in Compton

On Saturday, October 11, 2008, Eric ‘Lil Eazy E’ Wright Jr., son of the late rapper Eazy E,
registers a self described member of the Bloods gang to vote in Compton, California
as part of the MY HOOD VOTES© campaign kickoff.
(Photo Credit: Shon Smith for D’Angelo’s Photos)

Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, October 11, 2008, in his hometown of Compton, California, Eric ‘Lil Eazy E’ Wright Jr., son of the late rapper Eazy E, helped to kick off the MY HOOD VOTES© voter registration and education campaign. Beginning at the home of grandparents on the 16700 of S. Muriel in Compton, Lil Eazy E and MY HOOD VOTES© founder journalist Jasmyne Cannick led an all-star group of celebrities, entertainers, and community activists throughout downtown Compton registering and educating would be and non-likely voters. Those that came out to support included comedian Guy Black (Radio Free 102.3 KJLH radio personality), actress Terra Menyone, (”The Shield”), Felicia “The Poetess” Morris (co-host The Foxx Hole w/Jamie Foxx), Minister Tony Muhammad (Nation of Islam), and 93.5 The Beat FM.

Originally the concept of journalist and political activist Jasmyne Cannick, MY HOOD VOTES© is a grassroots education and mobilization campaign designed to engage non-traditional voters in underserved Black neighborhoods commonly referred to as ‘the hood.’ MY HOOD VOTES© is unique in that it has partnered with rappers and entertainers on educating ex-felons on their right to vote as well as other non-traditional voters who aren’t influenced by elected officials, who don’t watch the news or political debates, who aren’t online, and who are not currently engaged in the upcoming election, other than knowing that a Black man is running for President. These potential voters are often overlooked by voter education campaigns in an effort to reach more likely voters such as the Black middle class and seniors. Currently centered in Southern California, MY HOOD VOTES© has plans to expand over the next four years into a national effort.

MY HOOD VOTES© is a collaborative effort led by Eric ‘Lil Eazy E’ Wright Jr., who serves as an official spokesperson, founder Jasmyne Cannick, and co-organizers Amy Malone, C.E.O. of G.I.C. Public Relations, Felicia “The Poetess” Morris, co-host The Foxx Hole w/Jamie Foxx and co-organizer, and journalist and community activist Niele Anderson.

For more information on MY HOOD VOTES©, please visit www.MyHoodVotes.com.

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FOR MEDIA USE ONLY

Please find the following photos w/captions for use by the media. To enlarge photo, please click thumbnail. To request a hi-res version for print or television, please call Shon Smith of D’Angelo’s photos at (310) 404-4888 or email msshonsmith@gmail.com.

All use of photos must be accompanied by the following photo credit: Shon Smith for D’Angelo’s Photos.

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Terra Menyone Deveaux, has built an impressive resume of featured television roles and a steady flow of independent films such as, The Awakening, Killer Zombies, The Parkers, Strong Medicine and the lead in the independent film, Endangered Species which recently won the honor of Best Documentary at the 2006 Houston Black Film Festival.  Terra will play opposite Forrest Whitaker in the upcoming season of the F/X hit series The Shield, and she starts working on a new film in September, and she’s looking for that key role that will take her career to the next level.

Taking it to the streets in a real way, Radio Free 102.3 KJLH’s Guy Black of the Guy Black Show, is coming to the CPT to help kick off, MY HOOD VOTES! Heard locally every morning at 6 a.m. on Radio Free 102.3 KJLH, The Guy Black Show plays the best music, with up to the minute news and traffic and featuring Nautica De La Cruz, Adai Lamar, Zenja Dunn.

www.KJLHRadio.com

Comedienne, actress, and singer Lunelle is the latest entertainer to join the MY HOOD VOTES campaign. Known for her appearances on BET Comic View, Laffapalooza with Jamie Foxx, 2 Bees from Oakland, Comedy After Dark, “Never Die Alone” in which she co-starred with DMX, and most recently the film BORAT: The Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan, Lunelle has positioned become a pop cult figure.

www.heyluenell.com

Power 106 FM’s Big Boy is the latest celeb throwing their support behind the ‘MY HOOD VOTES’ campaign.

About Big Boy

Big Boy is a radio host currently heard on Los Angeles hip hop/R&B station KPWR (Power 106) and Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico’s Z90.3 every morning between 5 am and 10 am and hip hop/Rap station 106.7 Jamz out of Madison, Wisconsin in the mornings from 5 to 9. His stage name derives from his former large mass, which he modified through duodenal switch surgery in 2003 and the successive loss the next year of over 250 pounds.

“Big Boy” was born in Chicago, but moved to Los Angeles at age 2. After becoming acquainted with the music industry while DJ-ing Culver City High School parties, Big Boy soon became a bodyguard for the music group Pharcyde. Big Boy was friends with the Baka Boyz, the morning show hosts at Power 106. Always being a funny personality, in 1994 Big Boy was offered a hosting position with the station, and soon proved successful in nighttime and afternoon hosting spots. He is also a part of “Big Boy’s Neighborhood in the Morning” on 106.7 Jamz.

Big Boy’s image became well known throughout the Greater Los Angeles Area in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when Power 106 placed his nearly-nude 500-plus pound image onto billboards throughout the area.

Big Boy has been named Personality of the Year four times by the Radio Music Awards and three times by Radio and Records magazine. The National Association of Broadcasters awarded him the Marconi Award in 2002 and 2004.

He has made cameo appearances in movies such as Malibu’s Most Wanted, The Players Club, and Charlie’s Angels 2, and co-starred in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo. Fox television signed Big Boy to co-star in the police drama Fastlane in the fall of 2002. He has appeared numerous times on the hit HBO Entourage TV series. Big Boy is in the development process for his own network sitcom and hosts his syndicated weekend show formerly called “Big Boy’s Hip Hop Spot.” He has performed on-air voice-overs on MTV’s reality game show Yo Momma.

On May 24, 2006, Big Boy’s Neighborhood Morning Show began national syndication. This replaced Big Tigger and Egypt, who in turn, replaced the Star & Bucwild Morning Show based out of New York City hip hop station, WWPR-FM “Power 105.1 FM.”

On October 7th, 2006, the DJ proposed to his girlfriend on stage during Mariah Carey’s The Adventures of Mimi Tour at Staples Center, LA. Their first child, a boy, was born on February 22, 2007. Big Boy married on June 28, 2008.

He was featured on the second episode of the VH1 reality series, I Love New York, hosting the “I Love New York Mangeant”.

On August 6, 2007, Big Boy signed a multi-year deal with ABC Radio Networks to syndicate the show, and his weekend show Big Boy’s Hip Hop Spot. The show launched nationally on August 20 and is also now called Big Boy’s Neighborhood.

www.myspace.com/power106

The West Coast has birthed some of the hardest lyrics to hit the rap world, with songs like “F**k the Police,” “6 N the Mornin,”” and “It Was a Good Day.” The heart of some of the grittiest rhymes emerged from the streets of Compton, where hustling, and gangbanging were a way of life. NWA introduced the world to Gangster Rap in the 80’s; Lil Eazy-E will resuscitate it in 2009, with his debut release on the Universal/Blackground label “Prince of Compton.” The first release “What We’re Claimin” is a gangster’s anthem, with rich lyrical flow over funky, hard hitting beats.

Lil Eazy-E continues the legacy of his late father, rap icon Eazy-E, by delivering a searing collection of bone-crushing songs about the streets of his hometown, Compton. Lil Eazy’s lyrics reflect on the life and untimely death of his father, giving listeners an intimate look into their world.

“My father rapped about life and times, and I’m doing the same thing now. I’m speaking on issues every Eazy-E fan wants to know,” says Lil Eazy-E.

He is addressing subjects that until now have been fueled by rumors, such as his thoughts on his father’s life and death, studio gangsters, and his lifestyle since his fathers passing.

“A lot of people probably think I grew-up in the Suburbs of Southern California, living a privileged lifestyle. What they don’t know is I was born and raised in the same house as my father, the oldest of nine kids. We were a big family that all grew-up together. I lived the same life as my father, and I’m giving you that life on ‘The Prince of Compton’,” explains Lil Eazy-E.

Raised by his grandmother Lil Eazy-E virtually retraced his father’s steps, running the same streets his father made famous. As a child he turned to gangbanging, but he couldn’t repress his keen artistic vision and soon started developing his rap skills.

“Prince of Compton” brings West Coast rap back with a vengeance, merging the flavor of N.W.A on songs such as “Money and Power” and “They Killed You,” and mixing things up with “This Ain’t a Game” featuring Bone Thugs, which takes listeners back to the Ruthless days. Lil Eazy-E also pays homage to one of his childhood hero’s Ice Cube on “Shotgun” which was inspired by the street classic “Today Was a Good Day.”

“Ice Cube was a huge influence on my record. Knowing him as a kid and then working with him as a man was a great learning experience,” said Lil Eazy-E.

With a phenomenal debut album, budding record company and fledgling roster of talented rappers, Lil Eazy-E is poised to become the next West Coast Rap Kingpin, just as his father did nearly 20 years ago.

“N.W.A Ent. represents a legacy. Everything I do from this point on represents my father and the impact he’s had on rap music. This is a movement to continue his legacy and build an empire. We’re going to stay strong and push it, just like Ruthless was back in the day,” stated Lil-Eazy-E.

Rappers and Entertainers to Kick Off ‘My Hood Votes’ in Compton

Son Rap Legend Eazy E, Eric “Lil Eazy E” Wright, Rapper Mack 10, Among Those to Participate

Son of rap legend Eazy E, Eric “Lil Eazy E” Wright Jr., journalist and political activist Jasmyne Cannick were guests on actor turned radio personality Jaime Foxx’s Sirius Satellite radio show The Foxx Hole w/Jamie Foxx Friday, October 3, to discuss getting out the vote in ‘the hood.’

Los Angeles, CA – On Saturday, October 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. MY HOOD VOTES©, a grassroots education and mobilization campaign designed to engage non-traditional voters in underserved Black neighborhoods commonly referred to as ‘the hood’, will kick off operations in the City of Compton with the son of rap legend and philanthropist Eazy E, Eric “Lil Eazy E” Wright Jr. With an emphasis on educating ex-felons on their right to vote if they have complete parole, MY HOOD VOTES© has partnered with various rappers and entertainers in an effort to connect with these non-traditional voters who aren’t influenced by elected officials, who don’t watch the news or political debates, who aren’t online, and who are not currently engaged in the upcoming election, other than knowing that a Black man is running for President. These potential voters are often overlooked by voter education campaigns in an effort to reach more likely voters such as the Black middle class and seniors. In addition to MY HOOD VOTES© voter education and mobilization efforts, there will be a call for peace in the streets on Election Day, Tuesday, November 4 throughout California so that voters in all neighborhoods can feel safe to get out the vote.

Originally the concept of journalist and political activist Jasmyne Cannick, MY HOOD VOTES© is being spearheaded by rapper Eric “Lil Eazy E” Wright Jr., with support from radio personality Da Poetess, celebrity publicist Amy Malone, radio personality Niele Anderson, political consultant Herb Wesson III, and Minister Tony Muhammad of the Nation of Islam.

Beginning in Compton and traveling throughout South Los Angeles, including The Projects, MY HOOD VOTES© will focus on connecting with brothers and sisters who are not engaged in the political process on why their vote matters and how each election—local, state, and national—effects ‘the hood.’

“It’s time for brothers and sisters to put down their bullets and pick up the ballot and represent for their hoods in a different way,” commented Eric ‘Lil Eazy E’ Wright Jr. “I am 23, and this is the first time in my life that I ever registered to vote and I want to help other brothers and sisters do the same. We can make a difference if we choose to.”

“Welfare mothers, gangbangers, hustlers, prostitutes, dope dealers, the homeless—are all potential voters, and if every vote counts, well then, so does theirs,” commented co-organizer Jasmyne Cannick. “While we are not hitting the streets to provide life counseling, the hope is that those who decide to engage this November 4 in the political process will see that there is more than one way to represent for ‘the hood’ and are given the tools and information to make that happen.”

“It’s important to connect with this group of possible voters with people whom they identify with and respect and that’s not always going to be elected officials, who are sometimes seen as a part of the problem,” commented radio personality Da Poetess. “It also shows the world that rappers and entertainers who have made it out of ‘the hood’ are giving back to the hood.”

Because MY HOOD VOTES© is in its infancy stage, for the November 2008 Presidential election, the focus will be on Southern California with plans of expanding it nationally over the next four years leading into the 2012 Presidential election. MY HOOD VOTES© will also focus on local and state elections, as they have huge impact on the quality of life for the often forgotten men, women, and children living in ‘the hood.’

From MY HOOD VOTES© town hall meetings that actually take place in ‘the hood’ to registering potential voters right where they are—even if it means setting up camp in front of liquors and swapmeets—My MY HOOD VOTES© is less concerned with its online presence, since the majority of their audience isn’t online, and are more concerned with taking care of business in the streets.

Felicia “The Poetess” Morris, better know in ‘The Hood’ as The Poetess, is continuing her passion for community activism with MY HOOD VOTES.

Since her involvement with KKBT/100.3 The Beat (now KDAY-92.3 The Beat) in 1994, where The Poetess expanded a 60 second news spot on the station’s first hip-hop mixshow “The Joint,” to her own two hour program “The Agenda,” which included celebrity interviews and new music, she’s been representing the L.A. for years. Having a keen ear for hits, The Poetess introduced the music of Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Next, and Something For The People to her Southern California listeners. The veteran air-personality also served as community affairs director for 100.3 The Beat. “In all my years at The Beat, being community affairs director was the most rewarding.” Says The Poetess. In her former position, she organized voter registration drives, school supply give-a-ways to underserved children, community rallies, health awareness campaigns and is a strong advocate for the youth. Her 2-hour weekly show “Real Talk” kept listeners informed on issues that directly affected Southern California communities.

After 13 years on the air at KKBT-FM Los Angeles, Ms. Morris resigned to focus on her company Poetess Media that produces entertainment content for multi-media outlets such as mobile, Internet, TV and radio. Poetess remains in radio as a co-host on The Foxx Hole hosted by Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx on Sirius Satellite. Her current projects include “The Hip Hop Report” available on Sprint TV (mobile) and a film on the history of West Coast Hip Hop. A “Jackie of All Trades,” Felicia Morris considers herself an “industry hustla,” and indeed she is.

www.myspace.com/poetessmedia

DJ Pooh (born Mark Jordan in Los Angeles, California) is a rapper, screenwriter^, and film director. He usually collaborates with rapper Ice Cube. He has also produced albums for Del tha Funkee Homosapien, LL Cool J, Tha Dogg Pound, King Tee and Tupac Shakur.

DJ Pooh began in film by producing the drive-by shooting sequence in the 1991 film, Boyz N the Hood. He then went on in 1995 to help write the film Friday, in which he portrays the character “Red”.

He has also written, produced and directed his own films, which include the 2000 film 3 Strikes and 2001’s The Wash, which stars Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg. He released one solo album, Bad Newz Travels Fast, on Atlantic Records in 1997.

He is also credited as a co-writer of the script for Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

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