One you never heard of, I …
Push it hard to further the …
Grind, I feel like murder but …
Hip-hop has saved my life
If you are familiar with hip-hop, you know these lyrics sung by Nikki Jean on Lupe Fiasco’s song “Hip-Hop Saved My Life.” The song chronicles the life of a young black male growing up in Houston’s notorious 5th Ward, who is tempted to do crime, but stays on his grind to do hip-hop instead.
Of course, we live in St. Louis, and with us being a leader in homicides in the whole country, could hip-hop help answer our problem?
Dynasty Hip-Hop Inc. Mentoring Program says, emphatically, “Yes!”
The Rev. Dr. F. James Clark understands this as well. Clark has enlisted the help of Dynasty to recruit youth for a community movement called A Call To Oneness. Clark is the visionary behind A Call To Oneness, which aims to unify the black community across religious, social and economic lines.
“When you lead the nation in homicides, you don’t have many options in terms of thinking about something,” Clark said.
“The time to take responsibility and take action is now!”
Dynasty has done just that. We have experienced success in getting youth off the streets, into school and working to change their behavior for the better, using hip-hop as a tool.
Dynasty was founded by James Muhammad and myself of the Nation of Islam (with Charles Bingham, then a McCluer North High School student). We have also partnered with 100 Black Men of St. Louis for A Call To Oneness efforts.
“100 Black Men being such a historic and prominent organization, it is good to see them still on the front lines of change and uplifting the youth of our community,” said James Muhammad, associate director of Dynasty.
100 Black Men has opened up its new office to Dynasty so we can mentor the youth of the West Side of the city of St. Louis.
“There is strength in numbers, and through A Call To Oneness we have gained strong unity,” said Jacque Land, president of 100 Black Men of St. Louis.
“We see the work that Dynasty does in galvanizing youth through entertainment, and we bring training skills that youth need as well, so it is befitting that we help each other, and by doing so the people benefit.”
Youth – eager to rap, write and produce – are drawn to Dynasty to gain understanding of the music industry and get free studio time.
“Dynasty has motivated me and elevated my skills to another level,” said Naeem Thompson, aka Noo Noo, a junior at Beaumont High School.
“It’s times that we be at Dynasty, that we would usually be hanging on the corners and getting into things, but now my group is recording, and we meeting people in the industry.”
Naeem recently benefited from Dynasty’s industry relationships. Youth from Dynasty’s city location went to the office of Derrty Ent., the label of Nelly and the St. Lunatics. At the meeting, Derrty Ent’s Blu Bolden recognized Noo Noo’s talent with producing and expressed interested in working with him.
Derrty Ent. is also working with Dynasty and 100 Black Men for their “Whuts Good For The Summer Hip-Hop and R&B Competition,” a part of the State of Emergency Panel and the first day of A Call To Oneness Weekend.
100 Black Men has organized a State of Emergency Panel, which will be moderated by Freeman Bosley Jr. on Friday, May 30 at Shalom Church (City of Peace) 5491 N. Highway 67 in Florissant.
The competition is based on Dynasty Hip-Hop Inc. Mentoring Program, which will give the winner a cash prize, free promotional package from Nekjerkas/Unimind recording studio, exposure on City 10 TV, and Hot 104.1 as well as 100.3 The Beat. In exchange, youth (ages 13-24) must make music that is not detrimental to the community.
Zo of the Trak Starz has also teamed up with Dynasty to help reach youth through hip-hop. He along with Blu Bolden (Derrty Ent.) and Boogie D (program director of Hot 104.1) will be celebrity judges of the competition.
All youth interested in this competition and the Dynasty Hip-Hop Inc. Mentoring Program should call 314-335-0421 or 314-226-4885, or visit the program 4:30-6 p.m. on Wednesdays at the offices of 100 Black Men, 4631 Delmar. Dynasty’s program in St. Louis County is held at the library on Lewis and Clark by 367.