THE HOUSE WILL BE IN THE HIZOUSE

Readying for the exclusive Hip-Hop Summit taking place June 12-13 in New York, organizer Russell Simmons has now invited a few political VIPs. Last week, the rap mogul spoke about the summit’s exclusivity, but announced today that Congress will also be representin’ at the restricted event. Reps Cynthia McKinney (D-GA), James E. Clyburn (D-SC), Earl Hilliard (D-AL) and Bennie Thompson (D-MS) have been added to the guest list of rap artists, celebrities, music industry executives, civil rights activists and religious leaders coming to discuss the power and potential of the hip-hop culture, as well as hit Scores for some lap dances.

Noted political scholar Hilary Rosen added, "The fact that members of Congress will participate…clearly shows that hip-hop is a prominent force in popular culture. Sure it sells a buttload of records, but nothing is a prominent force in popular culture until a bunch of old white guys say it is."

While they were both being honored as Father of the Year this morning at the New York Marriott Marquis, Simmons invited Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell to attend, and Powell has accepted. This on the heels of the FCC fining KKMG $7000 for playing the clean version of Eminem’s "The Real Slim Shady."

The invite-only event of invite-only meetings hopes to initiate positive, proactive reforms from inside the music industry, covering four main issues: social responsibility, A&R improvement, conflict resolution and musical inspiration.