S. Samuel
After buzz surrounding non-profit organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) putting out a hip-hop compilation developed, spokesperson Megan Rondeau tells SOHH it was all smoke and mirrors.
Speaking via a statement issued to SOHH, Rondeau said the rap album hype was merely an April Fool’s Day joke.
“Gotcha! Ingrid Newkirk will not be releasing Yo! PETA Raps, but we couldn’t resist the opportunity to have some fun on April Fool’s and bring attention to the many hip-hop stars who are speaking up for animals. Hopefully our little joke will inspire some actual artists to think about animal rights the next time they hit the studio.” (Statement)
Over the weekend, a post claiming the company’s president was putting out a rap album spread online.
Here at peta2, we’re pretty in tune with the latest and greatest buzzmakers in the music scene. This one, however, definitely caught me by surprise. Plenty of bands, from The Smiths to Strike Anywhere, have written songs about animal rights. Couple that with the growing number of hip-hop players speaking up for animals–including J Fields, Russell Simmons, and Pac Div, just to name a few–and it only makes sense that PETA would have a hand in releasing an animal rights-themed album from a hot new MC, right? Well, here it is, folks. The mastermind behind it all, PETA head honcho Ingrid E. Newkirk, is working on a rap album with hopes to “better reach today’s youth culture with the message that it’s fly to keep animals in your heart and mind.” You heard it here first! Personally, I’m hoping for guest vocals from peta2 pals Waka Flocka Flame or Travie McCoy. Who do you want to hear on the mic with Ingrid? (PETA2)
Recently, rapper Waka Flocka Flame teamed up with the company for a new campaign.
Atlanta-based Brick Squad hip-hop artist Waka Flocka Flame never stops when it comes to raising awareness about animal protection. In advance of his sophomore album Triple F Life: Friends, Fans & Family, Waka earns a “Round of Applause” from animals everywhere for his second PETA ad, which is aimed at stopping chaining, fighting, and other abuse of dogs. Waka’s adorable co-star in the ad is Daphna, a rescued dog from the Atlanta Humane Society who is named after PETA’s vice president of cruelty investigations. (Crunk & Disorderly)
Around this time last year, Flocka made headlines for being the first rapper to take part in PETA’s “Ink, Not Mink” campaign.
Wearing nothing but strategically placed teddy bear and camera necklaces, Waka Flocka Flame is the first rapper to star in PETA’s Ink, Not Mink ad campaign. He shows off his tattoos, and a lot of skin, in the new ad, which urges, “Ink, Not Mink. Be Comfortable in Your Own Skin and Let Animals Keep Theirs. (USA Today)
