As the oft-boring and much-rehearsed 2006 MTV Video Music Awards came to a conclusion last night, one artist who wasn't nominated was taking to the streets--literally--to raise awareness about the conditions in New Orleans one year after Hurricane Katrina.

Mos Def

Brooklyn rapper Mos Def--real name Dante Smith--took to the back of a flatbed truck to perform his song "Katrina Clap" last night outside Radio City Music Hall, where the VMAs were held. He ended up getting arrested and charged with disorderly conduct for doing so.

Police that were already stationed outside the venue allowed the performance to continue for a short stretch before other officers, concerned that Mos Def didn't have the proper public performance permit, shut it down and arrested the rapper and some members of his entourage.

His publicist, Carleen Donovan, told MTV, "Mos Def was unjustly arrested tonight while performing on a flatbed truck in New York City outside the Video Music Awards. Mos Def was not out to break any laws. His only goal was to heighten the awareness of a serious situation that still exists in our country. He does not want people to forget that although it is one year later, the people and cities hit by the hurricane still need the help of the American people."

Donovan also said that her client was handled harshly and said a video of the incident would be uploaded to the Web soon.

"Katrina Clap" is expected to appear on Mos Def's upcoming album, Tru3 Magic, which hits stores September 19.

Laced over the beat of New Orleans rapper Juvenile's "Nolia Clap," Mos blisters the Bush Administration for its handling of the Katrina aftermath. "It's dollar day in New Orleans/It's where water's everywhere and babies dead in the streets/It's enough to make you holler out/Like where the f**k is Sir Bono and his famous friends now/Don't get it twisted man I dig U2/But if you ain't about the ghetto, then f**k you too/Who cares 'bout rock 'n' roll when babies can't eat food/Listen homie man that sh** ain't cool."

Smith was detained by police for several hours last night and released on bail.