Emmy Nominated Campaign to Launch August 16th: Will You Rap-It-Up?

WASHINGTON, DC, August 05, 2012 (Press-News.org) According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV. More than 1 million Americans are living with HIV today, and 1 out of every 5 individuals with HIV does not know he or she has it. Young adults account for 39 percent of new HIV cases every year.

National HIV/AIDS public awareness campaign, BET's Rap-It-Up, is launching August 16th. Every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States is infected with HIV, a completely preventable disease. Through the use of concerts, forums, a branded mixtape, and more, Rap-It-Up brings awareness to the seriousness of the situation and educates young adults across America on how to take a stand in their life and community and help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Now in its 14th year, BET's Emmy nominated HIV/AIDS national public awareness campaign, Rap-It-Up, kicks off August 16th. Through public service announcements, forums, concerts, a toll-free hotline, and much more, Rap-It-Up gives individuals the tools necessary to take a stand in their life and community to help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. With HIV/AIDS being one of the leading causes of preventable death among African American communities, Rap-It-Up works with young adults ages 18-30 across the United States to spread their message.

The Rap-It-Up College Tour will include the release of a branded mixtape featuring hip-hop heavyweights such as Jadakiss, Wale, 2Chainz, Sammie and Rashida. The mixtape, presented by Jeannie Jones, TV/radio producer and producer of Ready Set Impact, is available for preview now and will be available for download August 16th via http://www.ReadySetImpact.com and BET Promotions. Jeannie Jones produced the mixtape to inspire the young adults who take part in Rap-It-Up to continue to make a difference. "Music continues to be a universal language that touches people around the world. If my partner and I can produce a music project that motivates people to choose to LOVE and LIVE by living a healthier lifestyle, then it's a job done well," Jones said.

Stressing the importance of getting tested for HIV annually, being informed, and talking openly with your partner, family, and friends, Rap-It-Up has made a difference in communities across America. Since the campaign's inception, Rap-It-Up has tested over 30,000 individuals, had its message reach over 150,000 young adults via forums, and received over 2 million calls to the testing hotline.

The Rap-It-Up College Tour begins September 7th. Students can attend a Rap-It-Up concert, participate in open forums to learn about HIV/AIDS, and find their nearest HIV/AIDS testing center. The tour will begin at Virginia State University and travel to other prominent colleges throughout the United States, such as Tennessee State University and Jackson State University. A complete listing of tour dates and locations can be found at http://www.RapItUpPresents.com.

For more information on the Rap-It-Up campaign or to learn how to get involved, visit http://www.RapItUpPresents.com, or contact

ABOUT RAP-IT-UP
Since 1998, the Kaiser Family Foundation and BET Networks have partnered on an extensive public education campaign to inform young people about sexual health issues, including HIV/AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases. The partnership includes special programming, public service advertisements, online content on bet.com, and a free resource and referral service. The campaign has received numerous awards, including 10 Cable Positive POP Awards, a 2005 NAACP Image Award Nomination for "Walking on Sunshine", 3 Emmy nominations for Best National Public Service Announcements, and many more.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS
BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 87 million households according to Nielsen Media Research, and can be seen in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean.

ABOUT READY SET IMPACT
Ready Set Impact is a multimedia company based in Washington, D.C. that provides marketing and production services for musicians and entertainment brands around the globe. Ready Set Impact was founded by Jeannie Jones, radio/TV personality, actress, and media guru, who has worked with companies such as CBS Radio, VH1, and Apple, and Nate Jolley, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer for artists such as John Legend, Ron Carter, and James Moody.