“Jigga What??!? Jigga Who?!?”
This is what some of the UN administrators must have been saying when UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan informed them that they would be working with Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter in the global fight to provide clean drinking water to the almost two billion people who lack consistent access to it.
Carter, Def Jam President and CEO, says: “Most young people are unaware” of the world’s water crisis, but if they knew about the “staggering numbers” of people affected by lack of clean water, they would be moved to act, at United Nations Headquarters in New York on Wednesday. Of course, Annan welcomed the help of the internationally known recording star and MTV President Christina Norman in raising public awareness of water scarcity through a new global initiative.
I’ve not listened to a single Jay-Z track for almost two years now, and my preoccupation with disinfection by-product formation and its related health effects and soccer news to remain too occupied with the flow of hip-hop culture. However, even I must admit that this can only be a boon to those who are seriously concerned with the problems associated with community water supply on much of the planet.
It is refreshing to see that Kofi Annan concurs. Quoting the Environmental News Service:
“The water crisis – like so many issues confronting our world – can only be fully addressed with the creative participation of young people everywhere,” said Annan. “Working with MTV and Jay-Z, all of us at the UN hope this campaign will motivate youth to take action both in their own lives, and in support of broad eco-friendly initiatives.”
The Jay-Z international concert tour in September is part of an MTV effort to “educate, empower, and involve young people regarding global issues.” I must admit, I’m glad that even MTV is trying to draw young folk into the fray of such a colosally important venue.
I am also thoroughly impressed with Jay-Z. Of course, I thought his highly publicized list of 99 problems included much more trivial issues. Apparently, water is in the 99 while a b$#@* is not…