Jodeci helps spread message of safe sex to combat AIDS while on tour across U.S

Jet, July 17, 1995

The recent death of rapper Eazy E, who succumbed to AIDS, has motivated hit recording artists Jodeci to raise money for AIDS awareness on their current tour.

Shocked and horrified by the death of their musical associate, Jodeci, the multi-platinum bad boys of R&B, said it opened their eyes to the reality of the AIDS epidemic and they wanted to do something to help.

"We knew Eazy E. We were going to do some business transactions with him...We looked at him as being indestructible," Jodeci member Dalvin said of the gangster rapper who died only weeks after announcing he had the virus (JET, April, 3).

"Since we make love-making music, we needed to let our fans know, if you're going to make love off Jodeci music, at least use protection," he said. The singer stressed, "We don't want people dying off our tape."

Their desire to inform music lovers about the dangers of AIDS resulted in the quartet participating in LIFEbeat's Tour Outreach Program. At each venue, LIFEbeat, music industry leaders who have joined forces to combat the spread of AIDS, has set up tables with condoms and information on safe sex and the virus for concert-goers.

Kicking off their upcoming album, The Show, The After Party and The Hotel, Jodeci already has appeared in Dallas, Atlanta and Chicago. They are also slated to bring their message of love and protection to Washington, D.C. on August 9 and on Oct. 5 to New York.

With young Blacks being the fastest growing segment of the AIDS population, Jodeci is helping to spread the word: "Be safe. Wear a condom."