We The People Festival postponed until early 2010

Considering that local hip-hop-heads have waited years for Madvillain to reunite and perform tracks from the much-anticipated "Madvillainy 2," it's only fitting that they'll have to wait a little longer, as representatives from the We the People Festival today announced its postponement until early next year due to "ongoing economic challenges."

Originally scheduled to be held at Los Angeles Center Studios this Saturday, the festival also was to be headlined by Bad Religion, Suicidal Tendencies, Glitch Mob, Pepper, and Flobots. Representatives for the festival did not return e-mails sent today requesting further information, only releasing a prepared statement: "As organizers, we are committed to presenting only the finest event possible for this important movement. Due to ongoing economic challenges, we decided our best option was to move the event to a later date to insure these standards are maintained for the benefit of our important, loyal audience."

All tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase. Presented by Project Sweatshop Inc., the festival's stated mission is to "demonstrate the conscious side of all genres of music as a tool to demolish racial and social boundaries, while presenting a platform for the raw, uncensored views of the underground scene." Last year's performers included Suicidal Tendencies, Tom Morello, Murs, Les Claypool, Dilated Peoples, and EPMD.

-- Jeff Weiss