MySpace Grows Up, Helps Darfur

October 9, 2006

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What does MySpace have in common with Ziggy Marley and the members of Insane Clown Posse? They all care about the humanitarian crisis in Darfur, and are working together to help the region. MySpace is organizing a number of concerts, featuring these artists and many others, to raise money for relief efforts.

MySpace has been pigeonholed as a hangout for young girls (and, unfortunately, a few older men with an unhealthy interest in them). The social networking site has been defying that description lately, though – only three days ago, our David Utter reported that “more than half of the users on young, hip, advertising magnet MySpace may be older than 35.”

The 20 aid concerts stand to make MySpace look even more grown-up. “The crisis in Darfur is a global concern and as a global community we have a responsibility to take action,” said MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe said in a statement. “MySpace’s reach gives us an extraordinary opportunity to spread the word and empower individuals to help address the horrors in Darfur.”

MySpace is sending the most recognizable performers to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Medford, Oregon, and St. Petersburg, Florida. These cities will draw Alice in Chains, Ziggy Marley, and Insane Clown Posse, respectively. There will also be “a public service announcement featuring actor Samuel L. Jackson,” which will “be shown on television and in movie theatres, according to CBC News.

The MySpace-organized concerts will take place throughout North America on October 21. Other host cities include San Diego, San Francisco, Atlanta, Louisville, St. Paul, Reno, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and Toronto.

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