Congratulations to the ten winners of our first RAP AGAINST VIOLENCE CONTEST. This CD is the result of a unique partnership initially set up between my office through our Operation Cease-Fire gun violence prevention program, Bright House Networks, Lou Pearlman’s Trans Continental Studios, and 102 JAMZ–Central Florida’s leading hip-hop station. After months of hitting the streets and airwaves recruiting promising rap artists in the community to submit their original hip-hop recorded songs and lyrics expressing an anti-gun violence theme, this CD is their story to you. We wanted to reach directly into the hearts and minds of the community in the hope of changing attitudes and behavior when it comes to gun violence. 10,000 copies of this CD will be distributed free to the youth of Central Florida, enlisting their support in spreading the message that gun crime and its terrible consequences are unacceptable, and that there will be "Hard Time for Gun Crime".

Our rappers aren’t selling sneakers. Not yet at least. But they are spitting out the real truth–that gun violence hurts the very people you love the most. That it’s time you make good choices about yourself. That hip-hop is a changin’–it isn’t about killing your own nation. It’s time to put down the guns. It’s about good people succeeding through hip-hop and making a difference for themselves, their families and their community.As you can imagine, this contest would not have been possible without the support and financial contributions of many ...

• 102 JAMZ and Bright House Networks-for being our first partners and donating all that airtime to get the word out.–Trans-Con’s Lou Pearlman – for donating 60 hours of incredible studio time for our artists.–Crimeline of Central Florida – WOW! You go McNamara! Funding the reproduction of the CD’s.–Seminole County Weed and Seed – for funds that provided tee shirts and the video.–Brevard County Weed and Seed – for providing funds to hire the producer.
• Brevard County Sheriff Jack Parker and Seminole County Sheriff Don Eslinger – for financial support and their fantastic leadership in fighting gun crime.

There are so many other people and organizations that helped make the Rap Against Violence CD possible that we would be remiss without acknowledging their efforts. The Rick Bertel and Joe Sutphin for the limousine that helped make the winners feel like celebrities for the day – thanks to Siggy and the Iceman for hooking us up. A special thanks to Trans-Continental Studio Manager Ryan Bukowski (can’t wait for casual day) and his staff; you were incredible. To Keith Memoly (thanks for the hugs) and to your DJ’s Huk-Her and Big Sexy at 102 JAMZ thanks for believing! To Karen and the street squad at 102 JAMZ thanks for making us part of your team…You guys are definitely #1 in Central Florida. To Sarah Brady, Brian Craven, Jim Plattman at Bright House Networks for getting the word out about the contest on all the best channels. We also want to thank U.S. Attorney Paul Perez and his staff for their support of Operation Cease-Fire and all of our community outreach projects. To Orange/Osceola State Attorney Lawson Lamar for his support of the contest and our local and federal law enforcement partners in Operation Cease-Fire for making our communities safer from gun crime. To Tim Carr (the Dots Man) who became part of our "family" while filming this project. A special shout out to John Bober at Space Coast Government Television for his incredible visual ads. To the fine folks at the Rosen Plaza, and to Karl Rowley for making it happen. To Matt Chessler with Seminole County Government Television. A big thanks to Bodek and Rhodes and Positive Impressions for donating shirts to make our contestants and us look good! To Crystal and Mike with Smokey Bones (yum yum!)To all of the judges that worked so hard in choosing our winners: Ricky Watters and his lovely wife Katherina; Joe Davis; Keith Memoly; DJ Caesar; Brian Craven and Ryan Bukowski, you guys were the best! A special thanks to our lovely tie breaking judges – Amy, Kristen and Vanity. A huge thanks to the man that made our CD sound so incredible, Mike Sroka. We see you Mike…go Vikings? To Tommy Jr. for all his work on the CD. We’ll get that photo one day! To the Bernie Grundman Mastering Company, for helping us take the sound to the next level.I’m sure there are others that I have left out, please accept my apologies and my gratitude!

Finally, to Beth, Phil, Terri, Joe, Beth, Kim, Darla, Lynne and all my staff that shared my vision and worked so hard on this project. You ROCK!

State Attorney Norm Wolfinger
18th Judicial Circuit
Brevard and Seminole Counties, Florida

Home

CD Volume 1

CD Volume 2

Why "Rap Against Violence"?

Contest/Rules

Sponsors

Website created and maintained by N-Sync Computer Services, Inc.