Shadow Play Entertainment and Conversations Book Club is proud to make an announcement that was hinted at several weeks ago, but is now confirmed nationally. Abiola Abrams, author of the book DARE and host of BET J's BET Shorts (as well as frequent guest on BET J's My Two Cents) has officially endoresed the Hiphop and Books literacy campaign.


Hiphop and Books has lit a firestorm among regional and established recording artists when it comes to using their influence, fame and celebrity to promote reading---and it appears the appeal is gaining more traction even among the major entertainment markets.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the support that BET, MTV and even VH1 has shown our coalition," says Cyrus A. Webb, President of Conversations Book Club and Founder of the Hiphop and Books project. "There is alot more to come, with other nationally recognized artists already alligning themselves with the project. We are rolling them out slowly to keep the attention on the bigger message: If they can take out the time to read then everyone should."

In her statement provided to Webb, Abiola Abrams said the following:
"The reason I chose to write my debut novel Dare as a love letter to women in hip hop is that this diverse and powerful music has many aspects and therefore needs more powerful voices than just the handful of corporate artists that tend to dominate. Cyrus A. Webb's hip hop literary project is very much needed in our communities and has my full support. We should do anything any everything that we can to build bridges between all generations and this project does exactly that. Great work!"

Though Hiphop and Books was Webb's brainchild, he by no means takes full credit for it. "I feel blessed to be working with individuals such as Ms. Abrams and the host of artists that have joined our cause," he says. "We are making a difference. People who normally would think twice about reading a book are giving it a chance. That is all we hoped for, and that hope is now a reality."

In August 2008, Abiola sat down with Webb for an interview on his radio show Conversations LIVE! To hear it in its entirety, click this link: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/conversationslive/2008/08/03/Conversations-LIVE-talks-with-Bestselling-author-Abiola-Abrams

To find out more about Hiphop and Books or how you can join the coaltion, contact Cyrus A. Webb at 601.896.5616, via email at cawebb4.juno.com or online at http://www.hiphopandbooks.com.