The leader of a local branch of the Bethlehem, PA NAACP has
denounced the Musikfest concert taking place this Saturday (August 4)
featuring Grammy Award winning, Oscar-nominated rapper/actor Chris
“Ludacris” Bridges.

According to Esther Lee, president of the Bethlehem NAACP, Ludacris
should not be a featured act on the Musikfest concert, which is being
produced by a local organization, ArtsQuest.

“All I know is he’s a rapper, and rap music is lousy,” Lee said
during a press conference outside of ArtsQuest’s headquarters yesterday
(August 2), adding that Kevin Parks, president of ArtsQuest refused to
listen to her pleas about Ludacris’ lyrics.

“This was a small local group of protesters, all of them were
older,” Parks said. “It reminds me of the
1960’s when senior citizens were convinced that Rock&Roll was going
to ruin the country. Musikfest is one of the most diverse concerts in
the world. We have over 300 performers on 13 stages. Urban music has
been programmed regularly. We also have a whole stage devoted to
Hip-Hop and rap artists.”

Ludacris’ contract already stipulates that he cannot use profanity
during the all-ages show, which is expected to draw hundreds of
thousands of visitors to the ten-day festival. “I don’t believe that any artist is going to revise what he does for one venue,” Lee said of Ludacris’ appearance.

According to the Express-Times, Lee also took issue with
the Bethlehem Housing Authority, which is providing students with free
tickets to see Ludacris at the concert. “The Bethlehem Area School District continually is trying to educate
our youth, with student discipline being the greatest problem,” Lee
said. “Then on the heels of all the district’s labor, Jeff Parks and
Musikfest contracts with a personality who sings lyrics that add to
parents’ woes.”

While Parks acknowledged that Lee had a right to her opinion, he stated that it would not change Musikfest’s overall mission. “We recognize that Hip-Hop is an important part of some people’s
culture. Our mission is to reach out to the entire community,” Parks
told AllHipHop.com.

Tom Kelly, ArtsQuest’s chairman of the board, also dismissed Lee’s claims. “For several years, we have offered urban music, including rap and
Hip-Hop, at Musikfest,” Kelly said. “There are many people in the
community for whom this is an important musical style. … The over
3,000 people who have paid to attend the Ludacris concert presumably
know the artist and his music.”

Other major artists slated to perform during Musikfest include The
Black Crowes, Lil’ Mama, B.B. King and Al Green, Meatloaf, The Moody
Blues, Patti LaBelle, Joe Walsh, Big & Rich with “Hick-Hop” rapper
Cowboy Troy and many others.