Crime statistics for the city now give St. Louis the title of Most Dangerous City in America. Youth are part of this equation, as victimizer and victim. Can a part of the problem become a solution?
Let’s rewind to 1973, as The Bronx made New York City one of America’s leading cities in murder, and a street gang called the Black Spades went from destructive behavior to constructive behavior. The Black Spades became the Universal Zulu Nation, and helped to originate hip-hop.
“The formation started from a street gang. It went from the negative to the positive. What stands out is the unity that we had, and the wisdom that was coming from the Nation of Islam, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad, Malcolm X, and Farrakhan, meant a lot to me,” said Zulu Nation founder Afrika Bambaataa.
The Zulu Nation went on to use hip-hop as a vehicle to thwart bloody gang violence, and negative behavior amongst New York City’s youth, as well as helping to author a culture that gave birth to KRS-ONE, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim Allah and many others whom Jay-Z himself recently said were his biggest influences.
Here in St. Louis, Dynasty Hip-Hop Inc. Mentoring Program attempts to offer a solution similar to the Universal Zulu Nation. Dynasty utilizes hip-hop, its culture, and its industry to educate, motivate and empower youth with the training and skills to become more productive members of the society.
“We have seen from the last five years, as we have partnered with many organizations, that we, in unity, can make a difference,” said James W. Muhammad co-founder of Dynasty, and its associate director.
“It will take everybody on the front lines, free of egos and whatever differences we think we have, to stop these senseless killings.”
Dynasty’s community partners includes 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis, Judge Jimmie Edwards and his brain child, Innovative Concept Academy, which is a school for youth in the juvenile court system.
“The message that is coming out from some of the music is having an impact on a very influential base of people, the youth,” said Bill Luster, president-elect of 100 Black Men of Metropolitan St. Louis.
“It is because of the efforts of organizations like Dynasty that switch that negative message into a positive uplifted message that we can start bringing about some change.”
Dynasty gives youth free recording studio time, radio exposure and access to the hip-hop industry. Through them young people have recorded their music at some of the best recording facilities in this city, such as V.I.P. Records and Nekjerkas, Anex. Nelly and the St. Lunatics’ Derrty Ent. helped Dynasty further by allowing the youth a feature on Murphy Lee’s classic, “Age of 21.”
“We need more to step up with Dynasty,” said B Gyrl, a hip-hop historian and founder of stlhiphop.com.
The Trak Starz, the award-winning production team that has done production for Rihanna, Usher and Ludacris, have enlisted to help Dynasty in this campaign.
“We will be personally allowing youth from this program to record in our facility, as well as present their music to industry executives like Ludacris, and those who deal with Usher, and Rihanna,” said Sham, of the Trak Starz.
Muhammad said, “We are asking that all in the hip-hop community – artists, producers, labels, radio, studios, etc. – join with us in this campaign to use a culture that our youth know, which is hip-hop, to help stop violence.”
Dynasty Hip-Hop Inc. Mentoring Program can be reached at 314-243-4722, 314-599-1878 and www.dynastyhiphop.org.
