Jalal Nuriddin

The man hailed as one of the founding fathers of rap music has paid a visit to Preston.

Jalal Nuriddin of the Last Poets is dubbed the “Grandfather of Rap” has his story told in Hustlers Convention.

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The screening at the University of Central Lancashire charts the untold story of a 1973 album which is cited as a major influence for the Beastie Boys, Wu Tang Clan and Jungle Brothers.

He was joined for the screening by Liverpool poet and music producer Malik Al Nasir.

Russell Hogarth organised the screening as part of the Standing Together Against Racism campaign.

He said: “We are delighted to welcome Jalal, Malik and Rizwan to UCLan, along with the rest of the Hustlers Convention and Love and Etiquette Foundation teams, for this very special screening.

“The University is very proud to work with the Love and Etiquette Foundation in its Standing Together Against Racism campaign. Showcasing the Hustlers Convention is a great platform to launch this as what better way is there to create a mutual understanding and appreciation of different cultures than through art, food, music and film.”

L-R is Rizwan Iqbal, Founder Love and Etiquette foundation, Malik Al Nasir, Poet and Producer of the film Hustlers Convention, Jalal Nuriddin of The Last Poets and author of Hustlers Convention, Gai Murphy, UCLan Pro-Vice Chancellor and Russell Hogarth, UCLan Honorary Fellow and Community Ambassador, Chair and Co-Founder Creative Communities Group.

Rizwan Iqbal, Creative Director of the Lancashire based Love and Etiquette Foundation which aims to make a difference to places, lives and communities through art, history and culture, said: “This film is so important and highlights how the album has influenced and shaped music over the last 40 years or so.

“Screening the film in Preston is special and means a lot to local artists, communities and radio who have in some way been touched by the positive elements of hip hop and rap rather than the negative messages that seem to permeate through media and film.

“The historic value of the film is even more important today given racism has so many more faces than just relating to the colour of skin. Racism is suffered silently by so many from different backgrounds even today, and it is crucial that we provide a platform for understanding each other.”