Hip-Hop for HIV Awareness Concert

We'll spare you the grim details, facts and figures, but suffice to say HIV remains a significant problem in the Houston area. It's hard to take any pleasure at all in that, but as a capper to the City of Houston's Department of Health and Human Services "Hip-Hop for HIV Awareness Campaign," the department has partnered with several sponsors including 97.9 The Box for this afternoon concert. (See, we write about The Box when the station does nice things, too.) Scheduled to appear are G-Unit board members Lloyd Banks and Tony Yayo, Florida "Put It On Ya" MC Plies and a whole host of hometown heroes including Paul Wall, Bun B (see "The Year of Magical Thinking," p. 47), Z-Ro, Dallas Blocker and up-and-coming Conroe diva Just Brittany. There is one important catch, though: Tickets are free, but only to those who get tested at one of the department's designated locations. See www.hiphopforhiv.com for more information.