Fine Not Dandy

From June 12-14, hip-hop artists, politicians, academics, and hordes of Nation of Islam security gathered in New York City for a Hip-Hop Summit, sponsored by rap mogul Russell Simmons. The overwhelming NOI presence, which included a two-hour keynote address from Louis Farrakhan, threatened to turn the event in a publicity show, but participants like Chuck D, professor Cornell West, and Congressmen from the Congressional Black Caucus raised issues crucial to the hip-hop community.

Among the topics discussed was the increasingly shady prospect of not playing hip-hop records on the radio. On May 31, the Federal Communications Commission issued a $7,000 fine against Colorado radio station KKMG for repeatedly airing an edited version of Eminem's ''The Real Slim Shady,'' saying the abridged tune ''contains unmistakable offensive sexual references.''

KKMG operations manager Bobby Irwin compained that the fine was totally unwarranted. ''I think the person who complained did so because she was able to figure out what he was saying behind the bleeps and she didn't like it,'' he said, adding that the station plans to appeal the fine.

The Summit organizer, Russell Simmons, said the fine was a signal that the new administration and FCC commissioner Michael Powell (son of Secretary of State Colin Powell) would crack down on hip-hop. ''It's about the new administration and it's a sign of their attack on our industry,'' Simmons said of the fine. ''It's the beginning of a war.''

Simmons met Commisioner Powell recently and invited him to attend the summit and discuss the fine. After initial indications that he would attend, Powell declined the invitation, citing a longstanding obligation. FCC representative David Fiske denied that the fine had anything to do with new administration or commissioner and said it was the result of a complaint. ''It wasn't singling out any kind of music, it wasn't singling out a song,'' he said.