The words “unity” and “hip-hop” have not coincided for quite awhile now. Recently the words made a comeback through the actions of Dynasty Hip-Hop Inc. MentoringProgram.
Dynasty brought together the
industry of hip-hop from St. Louis,
for the purpose of mentoring youth
on hip-hop and its effects on the community,
as well as judging the content
of hip-hop and R&B songs for their
Whuts Good For The Summer Hip-
Hop and R&B Competition.
The competition was part of the
State of Emergency Panel, presented
by 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St.
Louis, and part of the Call To Oneness
weekend.
“Someone needs to take a picture,
because this is history,” said The
Hype Man D. Stone of 100.3 The
Beat. “You got the Beat and Hot
104.1 here in unity at the same
time.”
The winner of the competition
was a group named HBC
and GWOP Boyz, who won
with a song called “Banger 1
(Get Out These Streets)” that
talks about not falling into the
negative activities in the
streets.
“This song is so befitting for
this hour where we have made
history in gathering black men
by the tens of thousands for the
effort of bringing peace to St.
Louis’ violent streets,” said
James Muhammad, associate
director of Dynasty.
“The youth is a major aspect
of those who have problems in
our community, so to have
them realize and vocalize these
problems, I think the future
looks bright.”
The show of unity included
many other hip-hop industry
professionals, including Blu
Bolden of Derrty Ent., Zo of
The Trak Starz, Meddi Meddi,
and Boogie D of Hot 104.1.
“They represent the best of
the industry in St. Louis,” said
James Muhammad.
“It is only right that they be
a part of what Dynasty Hip-
Hop Inc. Mentoring Program
has to offer by way of helping
to get youth off the streets and
use their love for hip-hop to
save their lives.”
Guccio and Alice Prince of
Black on Black/Quit Playing
ENT also recently organized a
mentoring hip-hop program
with local youth that is scheduled
to continue.
Youth have been attracted to
Dynasty for its founders’
knowledge of the music industry,
the opportunity to meet and
partner with celebrities in hiphop,
as well as the free studio
time.
Nelly and the St. Lunatics’
Derrty Ent. have been partners
of Dynasty in helping to mentor
youth from various schools
and communities. Derrty Ent.
has leveraged its resources
behind Dynasty Hip-Hop Inc.
Mentoring Program.
“We at Derrty, we’ll be
donating free studio time for
the winner of the competition,”
said Blu Bolden.
The competition kept with
Dynasty’s theme of bettering
youth in the community, as
well as the overall theme of A
Call To Oneness. The youth
could not use any profanity,
disrespectful terms in regard to
each other or glorification of
crime.
Hot 104.1’s Boogie D, who
is program director of that station,
told the youth they have to
strive for excellence in everything
they do, not just hip-hop.
“Education is key,” said
Boogie D. “It is not just rapping
or producing – if you gain
an education, you can excel.”
The State of Emergency
Panel, organized by 100 Black
Men, brought together various
experts from different walks of
life, such as Will Polite, educator
and director of Confluence
Academy, Judge Jimmy
Edwards, Eric Rhone, manager
of Cedric The Entertainer,
Freeman Bosley Jr. and James
Muhammad of Dynasty.
“We are anxious to do
(record) deals with Dynasty,”
said Zo of the platinum-selling
production team the Trak Starz.
“Trak Starz is proud to be
involved with this organization,
who is helping these
young people and getting them
to understand their worth.
Dynasty is accepting youth
13-24 for the program. They
can be found at their main site
(4631 Delmar Blvd., in the
offices of 100 Black Men) from
4:30 p.m.- 6 p.m. Wednesdays.
Starting this week (June 26) on
Thursdays they will meet at
Victorian Village Club House
in North County. Call 314-335-
0421 or 314-226-4885.