Photo recap: Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day 2011

On Saturday, August 6 the Prince Complex (owned by Rap-A-Lot Records' J. Prince) and Eyes On Me Ministries (run by Christian rapper Bobby "Tre9" Herring) partnered together for another Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day in Houston's 5th Ward.

They expected a crowd of about 1,000 people to enjoy and receive free backpacks full of school supplies, haircuts, food, inflatable games, and positive hip hop music.

Below is a quick-hit, photo recap of some of the festivities. All photos by Sketch the Journalist.

The 100-plus degree temperatures didn't stop people from lining up at the gates early for the 2011 Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day.


Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee stopped by to give an official proclamation of recognition to Tre9 for the Prince Complex mission events held on this day and every week as part of Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays.


Volunteers served cotton candy to kids and adults.


The servant D. Davis did double duty as sound/stage coordinator and performing artist.


Rappers Hillary Jane, Wretch, and Archie of the group Second came out to share music and support.


Former Houston Rocket Steve "Franchise" Francis (white tank top) greets UGK rapper Bun B (white t-shirt) after the 3-point and slam dunk contests.


Even "seasoned saints" enjoyed the day. And yes, Pops in the quad-roller skates knew how to throw down once the music started cranking.


Houston's hip hop mayor Bun B spoke, encouraged, and thanked the crowd.


Tre9, reggae artist Denzil, and 007 (5th Ward Boyz) share a smile


View from the back of the crowd


Soon-to-be-kindergartener Eleazar shows off his new backpack full of supplies


Tre9 asked the crowd to pray for Victory Prep Christian Academy (represented by the pastor on the left) and the Prince Family (represented by Mrs. Mary Prince on the right) who helped fund and organize the event.

BONUS: This dude to the right of me was an unannounced guest.

So I guess that "ALIVE! Is Michael Jackson Really Dead?" documentary I streamed on Netflix last week was legit after all.

Recap: Rap-A-Lot Records' J. Prince & Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays celebrate 2 years of 5th Ward ministry

Bobby "Tre9" and Amanda Herring hosted the Hip Hop Hop Tuesdays event

The Prince Complex gymnasium in the heart of Houston's 5th Ward that serves as the home of the weekly Hip Hop Hope Tuesday youth services was remarkably cooler than when the event celebrated its first 365 days of existence.

At last year’s affair, (with Rap-A-Lot Records and community center founder J. Prince, former Geto Boy Willie D, street king Trae tha Truth, and Street Flava TV in attendance) the heat was unbearable, the air conditioning quit working, and a fire alarm had been accidentally set off causing the crowd to disperse sooner than planned. But now, after two full years of dedication, there was more cool air and excitement than expected.

Much Luvv Records founder Bobby “Tre9″ Herring launched the first Hip Hop Hope event (before the regular Tuesday gatherings) in partnership with Rap-A-Lot on Easter weekend 2009. Now, it’s a weekly outreach of his Eyes On Me Ministries that focuses on uplifting, enlightening, and encouraging young people entrenched in urban rap music culture.



For the last two years J. Prince has offered his space to Eyes On Me for the events and made a brief appearance at Hip Hop Hope Tuesday's July 5 celebration. Speaking to and about Tre9, he said “I’m thankful to have a brother in Christ who loves the hood the way that I love the hood and loves all of Houston I believe.”

“I’d like him to know that I’m going to continue to support him. As long as God keeps blessing me, I’m going to continue to extend the love and the blessings that I have.”

Cy, Gifted, Von Won, and bigAL helped celebrate

After that, the audience was treated to some lighthearted videos, a short Bible lesson about overcoming fear, and a performance from rapper/singer bigAL from Monroe, Louisiana. It was followed by testimonies of the ministry’s impact from rappers CY, Von Won, and Gifted da Flamethrowa as well as pastor Ricky Bradshaw and J. Prince’s wife Mary.

“We hope that established churches see us as missionaries,” Tre9 said. “Instead of sending hundreds of thousands of dollars overseas to sometimes do field trips, we want them to see that we’re here, we’ve been here two years, and we need help.”

“This isn’t an operation that brings in $200 a month. We make it and God provides, but He’s the one who really does this.”

Mary Prince spoke at the Hip Hop Hop Tuesdays anniversary

The night was also a celebration of Tre9’s 30-something birthday and Eyes On Me’s recent acquisition of a pre-owned, 22-person shuttle bus for transporting kids and parents to Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays and for use with the Feed a Friend homeless ministry they run every night in downtown Houston.

“Now we can go and pick up kids who can’t get here,” Tre9 said. “We know there’s a harvest field out here in 5th Ward. There are a lot of young people.”

“And we’re not trying to save them, because we know only Jesus can do that, but we are trying to present the Gospel to them. At least they’ll have that choice.”

The evening ended, as it always does, with an open mic freestyle rap session with the house DJ (in this case, Wiz from Praise 92.1).

Lots of Christian rappers showed up for the Hip Hop Hop Tuesdays anniversary

Although it had considerably less mainstream rap star power than in 2010, Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays’ second anniversary celebration seemed to relay more of a spiritual impact and significance than the year before.

NOTE: Eyes On Me and Rap-A-Lot Records will be hosting and celebrating their Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day at the Prince Complex on Saturday, August 6.

All Eyes On Me Awards Put On Pause To Focus On External Ministry

Christian hip hop’s premier awards show has been put on pause for 2009 to better focus on external ministry efforts. Event founder Bobby “Tre9” Herring said he made the decision after much prayer and discussion with his team and other leaders.

“I think it’s evident that if God wanted us to continue this year it would have happened by now,” Tre9 said. “Instead, I’m really feeling drawn to devote my time and energy to organizing more external ministry efforts and to focusing on the development of the DaSouth.com and non-profit companies He has appointed me to steward.”



Periods of hiatus for such events are not unusual. T.D. Jakes’ MegaFest was cancelled in 2007 and 2008 and Crossover Church’s popular Flavor Fest is taking off this year in order to better prepare for its tenth anniversary in 2010.

For each of the All Eyes On Me Awards’ nine years, Herring has taken a personal financial hit. He hopes that further developing and monetizing the DaSouth.com multi-media site he co-owns (which recently registered 16 million hits in a single month) will offer a better support base for the event.

“In this economy, I think it’s also wise for us to take the focus off of ourselves and instead look to serve others,” Tre9 said.

Such comments are not mere talk. In April, Tre9’s Much Luvv Records partnered with Rap-A-Lot Records for a Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day at the Prince Complex. This summer he’s been holding similar Hip Hop Hope Tuesday events at the 5th Ward facility to engage and encourage the community through the revolutionary message of Jesus the Christ.



And now that he’s free of AEOM commitments for a time period, he’ll be able to spend additional energy assisting Much Luvv artist Von Won’s third annual Holy Hip Hop for Hunger event at Rice University on September 11.

“I’m not saying we’re going to quit the awards show forever, but we’re definitely quitting for now,” Tre9 said. “Prayerfully God will bless our efforts elsewhere and continue to make Him known to a world that desperately needs Him.”

To keep up with Tre9’s ministry efforts, visit his blog at http://www.hiphopmissions.com/.

About the All Eyes On Me Awards Show:

The awards show began in the summer of 2002 by honoring the pioneers of the industry within its hometown. After three additional years of only Houston nominees, the show went statewide in 2006 and 2007 by honoring individuals from across Texas.

The event recognized artists, retailers, pastors, media representatives, DJ’s, graphic designers, vendors and others for their outstanding achievements and contributions in the inspirational hip hop music industry. Awards were given in over 30 different categories to the genre’s upper echelon of power movers and shakers.

In 2008, it increased to a national scope and was renamed the All Eyes On Me Achievement Awards.

The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. audio interview by Sketch about Rap-A-Lot Outreach

Victorious & Sketch @ Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day

My audio interview with Victorious & Proof from Austin's The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. about the Rap-A-Lot / Much Luvv Records 5th Ward Easter outreach event is now online exclusively at DaSouth.com.

I was impressed that these fellas drove over three hours (one way) just to be a part.

Listen in here while you view a slideshow of my images from that day.

We also got some pub on Isiah Carey's (Fox 26) Insite blog. Check that here. Thanks IC.