Thug Life Army

Hip-hop culture is more than rap tracks and club life. A member of the hip-hop nation should be informed on all areas that involve the entire real world.

As BET and MTV air videos of clubbing, hoochies and other waste of tape, the real world still goes on.

There are many things that touch all of us and it expands way beyond which rap crew is beefin with which other crew or what hip-hop artist is facing legal action now.

There are many good outlets for the real news of what is going on in this country, news that affects all of us. No not CNN or ABC but real resources where an exchange of ideas and comments motivate thought and in many cases a need for action is seen.

There is a talk show on American Urban Radio Networks hosted by Bev Smith which is one of these thought provoking news type programs.

The topics that are brought forth on the show are as thought provoking as the subjects are wide and diverse.

Bev Smith is an award wining journalist who confronts today’s Black leadership and decision makers with hard-hitting questions, at the same time providing her listeners the opportunity to voice their opinions.  “The Bev Smith Show” is Urban radio’s only national talk show. It airs weeknights from 10P to 2A (EST), and offers a daily four hour dose of in depth analysis and commentary on issues and topics that affect African American listeners.

Bev Smith is a media voice to be reckoned with. She has been on the air for two decades. Well recognized throughout the nation, Bev Smith has received more than 200 awards for her contributions to outstanding broadcasting achievement.

"The Bev Smith Show" has its own 800 number allowing listeners to talk "toll free" to Bev and her provocative guests on whatever exciting conversation she's got going on. "The Bev Smith Show" is the only national talk show targeted to a Black audience, but her audience is as diverse as her topic. Anyone who is concerned with what is really going on, or wants to hear more about the story behind the ‘headlines’ will enjoy and hopefully learn something from the shows input.

Bev Smith, a pioneer black journalist, a true role model for the strong black woman. Knowledgeable and intelligent she is captivating to listen to and her point of view based on experience and knowledge.

She has gained the title "Woman of Distinction." And she deserves every bit of shine she gets.

If you can get American Urban Radio Networks radio in your area give Bev Smith a listen. Here is her current show schedule. Check her out and always remember that knowledge is power – even in the hip-hop community.

Veteran talk show host Bev Smith will provide a unique glimpse inside the influential National Conference of Black Mayors, Inc. conference in Columbus, Ohio.  “The Bev Smith Show” will broadcast from the conference this Thursday, April 28 and Friday, April 29 from 7 to 10 p.m. ET.

Among those expected to attend the conference and appear on the show--Black Enterprise Founder Earl G. Graves Sr., Congresswoman Maxine Waters, The Minister Louis Farrakhan, Dr. Cornel West, actresses Cicely Tyson and Vivica A. Fox, rappers Ludacris and Mos Def, business mogul Russell Simmons, former vice presidential candidate Senator John Edwards and singer Rachelle Ferrell.

This is Smith’s third year broadcasting from the conference, giving her unprecedented access to the decision-makers who govern the municipalities where many American Urban Radio Network listeners live and work. “At this time in our political history it is important that African-American leaders of cities across the country come together, pull their resources and unite to make their being black mayors a strong political force felt in this country,” Smith says.  “That’s why this black mayors’ conference is so important.”

“The Bev Smith Show” is broadcast nationally and will have the ears of the politicians, celebrities and leadership in attendance. Some of the topics addressed at the conference will include economic growth and fiscal health, young people, law enforcement, education and housing. Smith will bring the discussions into the public domain so that listeners will be on the pulse of issues that affect them across the country.

“It’s an honor to have ‘The Bev Smith Show’ broadcasting from such a prestigious event,” says Tene Croom, director of news and public affairs for American Urban Radio Networks. “As a service to our listeners, we always strive to bring them an up close look at key events.”

“The Bev Smith Show” airs Monday through Friday from 7 to 10 p.m. and is the only daily national talk show targeted to an African American audience.  Throughout her career, Smith has always addressed issues of great urgency and importance to Urban America.  For many years, she hosted “Our Voices,” a one-hour talk show on the Black Entertainment Television cable channel that was seen in 40 countries from 1988 to 1999.  A prolific broadcaster, Smith has received over 300 awards for her work.

This is the 31st Annual National Conference of Black Mayors (NCBM) conference. The event takes place from April 27 through May 1, 2005 at the Hyatt Regency in Columbus. Established in 1974, NCBM is a private, nonpolitical, nonpartisan and nonprofit organization that serves over 500 mayors nationwide who represent more than 30 million United States citizens.  NCBM’s mission is to enhance the executive management capacity of its members for the purpose of governing viable municipalities. The theme of this year’s conference is “The 21st Century:  Meeting the New Challenges for Economic Growth.”

Visit the Web Sites –

Bev Smith

American Urban Radio Networks