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A number of influential hip-hop artists will join New York Governor David Patterson today (January 15), to celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday.



Rap mogul Russell Simmons, Hip-Hop pioneer Eric B. of Eric B. and Rakim, Salt of female of rap’s most successful girl group Salt-N-Pepa and the real Avon Barksdale will appear in Queens with activist Erica Ford and Gov. Patterson to launch "Peace Week."



The Governor and the celebrity rappers will use their influence to call for peace and unity in the streets and amongst the youth.



"We lost to many to senseless violence. Martin Luther King called for non-violence and peace," Life Camp/Peace Week Founder Erica Ford told AllHipHop.com. “[It’s] time to 'Bury Da Beefs' and live at least a week of it in his [MLK's] memory."



“Peace Week” launches today (January 15) and ends January 22 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, a civil rights activist who encouraged non-violent protest as a means to bring forth social change.



Various events will take place in different boroughs throughout the week, including a celebration for MLK at Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network and a "Teen Peace Party" in Jamaica, Queens.



Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday is being celebrated across the world today (January 15).