It's Bigger than Hip-Hop...

Dead Prez plays at the Muffathalle in Munich, Germany TOMORROW, July 19.
Not only are DP hosted by the most gorgeous venue in town (I'm serious. Do an image search on the Muffathalle), they are official guests of the City of Munich. How amazing is that?

Yet this extraordinary event was nearly monkeywrenched at the 11th hour by the EU Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Senegalese HipHop legend Duggy Tee is performing with Dead Prez, along with Munich outfit Main Concept. The Embassy tried to deny Duggy Tee and crew their travel visas because the five "could not prove to have a regular income and a bank account", and claimed they might stay illegally in Europe. Nevermind they were invited by the City of Munich, by a promoter (the wonderful Patricia Mueller of the Munich Department of Arts and Culture) who has worked with hiphop artists from Senegal since 2000. And nevermind that over 90% of Senegal lives under poor conditions, making their lack of documented income hardly unusual. The embassy clerk merely gave Patricia this "advice" before hanging up: "You'd better work with European rappers!!!"

After a night of calls to influential institutions throughout Belgium and Germany (all of whom were shocked at this EU decision), at least three of Duggy Tee's crew got their visas.

In the meantime, Senegalese social groups and media are planning a huge manifestation of protest in front of the EU Commission in Dakar. For more than two weeks Senegalese journalists have been reporting extensively about this show in Munich. The TV and radio channels and the print media are especially willing to set an example.

Phew! Expect lots of pictures after the show.