Rakim, De La Soul, Prince Paul, Das EFX, and Craig Mack are coming togetherto perform at a special concert on August 24 at Tramp's in New York City tobenefit Poetic of the Gravediggaz. Poetic, who most recently performedseveral tracks on Baby J's album, Birth, on Bomb Hip-Hop Records, waswas diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year, and, according to MTVNews, his condition has recently reached an extremely critical stage.Proceeds from the show will go towards funding Poetic's continuingchemotherapy treatments. A second benefit for Poetic is also being plannedfor September.

On the left coast, hip-hop artists are also coming together for a goodcause. Tha Alkaholiks, Coolio, Naughty By Nature, The Sporty Thievz,Xzibit, Warren G, and DJ Quik are performing for the Breaking Out Concert onSunday, July 18, at the Great Western Forum in Los Angeles. Money raisedfrom the concert is being donated to the Breaking Out Foundation, anon-profit organization that puts together various community programs tocurb juvenile crime, and Junior Achievement of Southern California, a groupthat educates youths about business and the work force. - Werner