Bill Cosby the Hip-Hop Ambassador

Don't worry, The Cos doesn't spit rhymes or drop beats on his new album, but the actor-comedian is the man behind Bill Cosby Presents the Cosnarati: State of Emergency. The socially conscious hip-hop album builds on Cosby's 2007 book Come On People, which tackles many of today's critical youth issues.

The album launched with a virtual town hall meeting this week in NYC. Certain songs are currently available as digital downloads, and the full-length disc will debut in stores and online Nov. 24. State of Emergency, produced by Cosby compatriot William "Spaceman" Patterson, features a collection of rappers and activists like Jace the Great, Brother Hahz and Supa Nova Slom.

"Dr. Cosby offered his elder wisdom, then we brought our young swag and interpreted it into hip-hop," said Slom. "Our generation and society at large are at a real crossroads for survival; the times demand that we reopen this chapter of hip-hop."

Cosby, who has made some controversial comments in recent years, hopes people will still support the cause. He remarked, "People who don't want it to succeed will say I'm a curmudgeon who doesn't like poor or young people. But these rappers are young males running down the truth about the urban side of life. It's time for a change."

The actor, best known to modern audiences as Mr. Huxtable, challenges young men to show respect for females and avoid incarceration on State of Emergency.