‘Day Of Atonement’ For Gangsta Rappers

Nine days after rapper Tupac Shakur died from gunshot wounds, the Nation of Islam gathered rappers in Harlem on Sunday for a “day of atonement” to promote peace in the violent world of gangsta rap.

“People criticized us and said ‘Why would you honor a gangster rapper?”’ said Minister Conrad Muhammad, the Nation of Islam’s New York leader. “We’re not honoring a gangster rapper, we’re honoring a black man who is a child of God who was murdered.”

Shakur, an actor and musician who sold millions of albums, died Sept. 13 in Las Vegas from wounds suffered in a drive-by shooting six days earlier.

On Sunday, police cordoned off two blocks around a school auditorium, where Nation of Islam representatives tightly controlled access.

Hundreds on the street listened over loudspeakers. An all-black audience of 600 that got inside included hip-hop pioneers Afrika Bambaataa and DJ Kool Herc, Doug E. Fresh, Fat Joe the Gangsta, Grandmaster Flash and Q Tip.

“I think the problem comes from black men, especially,” Q Tip said. “We have to learn to be responsible, caring and conscious.”