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Church's Billboards Target 'Degrading' Rappers
Local Rapper Upholds Move

CHICAGO -- A South Side church is taking a stand against demeaning and violent music by putting up billboards around the city Monday.

Twenty billboards denouncing music artists that demean women and perpetuate violence are going up Monday, according to a release from St. Sabina Church.

The billboards read "Stop Listening To Trash," and they name 10 modern-day disrespectful rappers, the release said.

Pastor of St. Sabina Church, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, said in the release, "If we are going to end the violence and disrespect of women, we must fight every form of negativity, including the music industry."

"When you disrespect women and you continue to demean a community or race by names and by language, that's unacceptable," he told NBC5's Alex Perez. "We can kill with our words."

Mixed opinions were expected from the public as well as from the artists themselves, but Chicago rapper Shala Esquire -- of the popular group Qualo -- told NBC5 he thinks the billboards seem like a good idea.

"I think the billboards are a bold step in a world that has been pretty cowardly lately. Hopefully it brings balance back to hip-hop so folks can move on to b--chin' about something else," he said. "I'm not going to say that we don't use certain words to depict the reality of life, but it's becoming kind of crazy and it's getting out of control. Don't fix the music, fix what causes the music."

Among the artists targeted by the billboards are Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Fat Joe, and Lil' Wayne.

St. Sabina, located at 1210 W. 78th Pl., says some billboards have already been posted. Some of the locations include:

-- 87th Street and Vincennes
-- 79th Street and Ada
-- 16th and Karlov
-- Kedvale and Ogden
-- Ogden and Western
-- Halsted and Garfield
-- 103rd and Wallace
-- 63rd and Wood

Meanwhile, Chuck D., the founder of political rap group Public Enemy, is set to meet with Pfleiger and Sen. James Meeks on Tuesday about the billboards and about rap music in general.

IT'S THE FINALS!!!! VOTE NOW!!!!

VOTE OR DIE!

It's come down to this. After 3 weeks we are down to the final 3 songs, one of which will be be crowned the champion  single for Preasts' debut Fear God. Tell The Truth. And Make Money. The challengers are "LaLa," "Hound Dogz," and "Rivers Run Deep." Let's have a clean fight, vote, throw some feedback, and or course rule #1 NO BITING!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE IN ROUND 3 FOR PREAST'S NEXT SINGLE

This is the third round in the democratic process of selecting the first single for Preasts' Fear God. Tell The Truth. And Make Money. Round two wasn't as much as a blowout as the first, with "Rivers Run Deep" edging out "For My Mamas" 16-7. This week features two of my personal favorite cuts off the album, "Mahalia" and "Hound Dogz" both of which feature Royale. I have a feeling this could be the closest round yet. Anyway, check them out in their entirety, vote and let us know what you think. This is the final round before the royal rumble, and ultimate decision.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE IN ROUND 2 FOR PREAST'S NEXT SINGLE

Thanks to the folks who voted in Round 1 in our ongoing process to select the first single for Preasts' Fear God. Tell The Truth. And Make Money. "LaLa" ended up taking it by a pretty good margin, and will face off in the final round in 3 weeks so stay tuned. This weeks songs included two more personal and candid cuts, "For My Mama" and "River Runs Deep (Poppa's Song)." Both songs are incredible and evoke a lot of emotions, it will be interesting what you guys vote on. Please, LISTEN to them both in their entirety, vote and leave some feedback.

PREAST-FEAR GOD. TELL THE TRUTH. AND MAKE MONEY.

Here's the chance for everyone to give us your two cents and be a part of The Movement!

The Movement and Synthesis Magazine have come together to give YOU the chance to pick Preast's (of Qualo) first single from his solo album "Fear God. Tell The Truth. And Make Money."

Here's how it works...First, check out Synthesis Magazine's Website.  From there, we will post two songs per week for you to choose from.  There will be six songs total (Lala, Say My Name, For My Mamas, Rivers Run Deep (Poppa's Song), Hounddogz feat. Royale and Alexander Monday, and Mahalia).  The winners from the first three weeks will go up against each other in the finals during the fourth week.

Get over there and pick the single!  This is your chance to not only impact Chicago music, but music all over the country!

CHECK OUT QUALO IN THE LATEST ISSUE OF SYNTHESIS MAGAZINE!!!

ALSO, BE SURE TO TUNE INTO TO SYNTHESIS' PODCAST FEATURING QUALO COMING SOON!

DO NOT ADVERTISE IN OUR COMMENTS.

YOUR COMMENT WILL BE DELETED UNLESS IT CONCERNS QUALO.