 Los Angeles' underground king, Murs, took to Ustream on Wednesday afternoon (December 8) to make the official announcement for his annual Paid Dues Festival concert.
With more than 400 logged in to hear the news, the rapper revealed that the 2011 show will go down on April 2 at San Bernardino, California's NOS Events Center. The headlining act is Black Star, consisting of Mos Def and Talib, who are reuniting for the first time in a long time.
The duo arose from the underground movement of the late 1990s, which was in large part due to Rawkus Records. As Black Star, Kweli and Mos dropped their debut and sole collaborative album, Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Black Star, which garnered critical acclaim.
While the pair have said they're working on a new Black Star record, it's yet to see the light of day. So, for all you fans waiting, seeing them at the upcoming Paid Dues Festival is the next best thing.
In addition to Black Star, Murs will also headline, as well as respected indie New Yorker Immortal Technique.
"This year's show is special because individually, Mos Def and Talib Kweli have done so much for true hip-hop music, but as Black Star they are one of the most important acts in indie hip-hop," said Murs. "It is a complete honor to finally have Immortal Technique at Paid Dues. He is an activist/ artist whose movement is respected and praised literally around the world.
"It felt so good last year to actually be part of Paid Dues as an artist that I had to do it one more time," Murs continued. "I will be starting my 'Road To Paid Dues' Tour on February 18, spreading the good word all across our beautiful country and the last stop will be Paid Dues."
Pre-sale tickets went on sale Friday (December 10), but only for a limited period -- 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. To get them early, head over to TicketFly.com, enter the password "BLACKSTAR".
Ticket sales to the general public begin on Sat at 10 a.m.
Additionally, Murs and organizers Guerilla Union have teamed up with Habitat For Humanity of Greater Los Angeles (HFH GLA) for the first-ever Paid Dues Habitat Project. On February 12, 2011, 25 fans will have the opportunity to work alongside the rapper, Guerilla Union staff and other Paid Dues artists to help make a difference for hardworking families and individuals in need of simple, sustainable and affordable housing, in the greater Los Angeles area.
The Paid Dues Habitat Project will help HFH GLA continue to offer low-income families and individuals a hand up, not a hand out, by providing them with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build and own their own homes.
"With Paid Dues, I have been dreaming of taking our community spirit one step further, and this year it has finally happened," an excited Murs said. "We will be working with one of my favorite non-profits, Habitat."
Details on how fans can pre-register and participate will be available soon. Just visit the Paid Dues website at PaidDuesFestival.com, or to learn more about HFH GLA or to get involved, visit HabitatLA.org.
The 2011 Paid Dues Independent Hip-Hop Festival will be the six installment of the concert series. In 2010, it celebrated its fifth anniversary with a sold out show, where for the first time in its history, the landmark event expanded to multiple stages. It featured performances by Ice Cube, Murs and 9th Wonder, Tha Dogg Pound, Dilated Peoples and reunited special guests, Freestyle Fellowship.
2009 marked the festival's largest show to date with over 7,000 attendees.
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