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The battle between popular Houston rapper Trae the Truth and 97.9 The Box continues. The artist has now called for a town hall meeting themed “Can’t Ban The Truth” to be held at the 40-year-old landmark S.H.A.P.E. Community Center (3815 Live Oak) on June 3 at 7:30pm.
“This town-hall meeting might make it to where they never play my music again. At the end of the day, if that’s what they do, they’ll have to answer to God one day,” said Trae to the Houston Chronicle.
As reported previously on my blog, on May 5th, Trae announced the filing of a lawsuit in the 189th District Court of Harris County Texas against Radio One Inc., which owns and operates Houston radio Station 97.9 KBXX, The Box.
The civil case alleges a consistent pattern of business disparagement, conspiracy and tortious interference. Defendants include Radio One, the radio station’s general manager Doug Abernathy, program manager Terri Thomas and morning show radio personality Nnete Inyangumia. Trae decided to file the lawsuit after the radio station officially banned his music from receiving airplay and began to interfere in his relationships with other music industry professionals. Radio One is the seventh largest radio broadcasting company in the country, and is the largest one targeting African American audiences in the U.S. The Box is the only hip hop radio station in Houston.
The suit, which was filed by Houston attorney Warren Fitzgerald Jr., alleges that Trae was the subject of a radio ban after Nnete falsely accused Trae during an on-air interview of causing the violence which occurred at a public festival which he sponsored.
Says Trae, “I just could not let any more people suffer and be punished by the radio station over this ridiculous vendetta.â€
Community activist Deric Muhammad is assisting in hosting the townhall meeting and he recently posedt this comment on Twitter, “How can 97.9 the BOXX criticize labels for artist oppression, yet refuse to play @TRAEABN ‘s records because of personal disagreements?”
So far,the judge in the case denied a temporary injuction against 97.9 FM and a new hearing has been set for August 16.
Will keep you posted on the town hall meeting and developments in this case!
–Brother Jesse
