Hip Hop Hope Ends In 5th Ward Then Resurrects

 

Although still taking place in other formats, Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays, the 2-year-old weekly outreach of Eyes On Me Ministries that focuses on uplifting, enlightening, and encouraging young people entrenched in urban rap music culture, has come to an end in Houston’s 5th Ward.

On April 10, 2012, the night of the HHHT memorial service for frequent volunteer Carlos “DJ Primo” Avila, event founder Bobby “Tre9” Herring broke the news that The Prince Complex, a community center/gym owned by Rap-A-Lot Records founder J. Prince, had been sold and would no longer be available for regular gatherings.

In an e-mail to his ministry’s supporters this week, Herring wrote:

However, I made a commitment to every kid from 5th Ward that attends that we will not stop meeting with them. There are too many youth in inner city neighborhoods that have spiritual mentors come in and out of their lives. We will not be guilty of abandoning them while they are growing to know Jesus through us. [Go to 4:04 in the video below to see Tre9 address the HHHT youth.]


So the following week we picked up about 11 youth and took them to my mother-in-law's house to begin organic church with them. Our staff of eight faithful volunteers have stepped up to be disciple makers themselves, and we are currently rotating the weekly house fellowship with these young people. 

Now Hip Hop Hope has become what I believe God intended it, an organic church meeting in different places each week, making disciples of young people who do not go to any particular building for what we know as "church." 

Acts 17:24 "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands." 

I praise God we can have church with these youth wherever someone opens their doors. I look forward to the impact Jesus will have on their lives and their communities for many years to come. 

 

Donors provided and wrapped this passenger van to help transport kids to and from events. In a sad turn of events, it debuted the night Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays ended in 5th Ward.

In addition to his regular prison and school ministry, Herring is now bringing Hip Hip Hope events to other churches. The first will be held this Friday, May 11 at Conroe Community Church. To find out more about Eyes On Me Ministries, visit alleyesonmeinc.com.

 

 

DJ Primo memorial/funeral details

From Tre9:

Dear Fellow MC's and Ministry Friends,

As it is written, "Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:1-3)

Carlos Avila died on April 3, 2012. He was a husband of 12 years, father of two small children, U.S. Army Reserve Member, Hip Hop Missionary DJ, Friend, and Christian brother to many.

He is known amongst the Christian hip hop community as DJ Primo, and the "King of Christian Hip Hop Chopped and Screwed Music." His countless Christian hip hop mixtapes inspired two generations. His mission was to honor God through hip hop music and to serve others with the best mixes a DJ could put together.

Whether Dj'ing at an outreach, a concert or simply on his laptop creating a mixtape, he always raised the standard of excellence in the art of Dj'ing. He can't be replaced and we will miss him in Houston's hip hop community.

We are asking everyone to pray for his family and to consider helping out with financial needs if you are able to do so. His wife has become a widow unexpectedly, she has several financial expenditures to carry, and we know that God looks after widows (James 1:27, I Timothy 5:3-5, Psalm 68:5).

The following is an update on DJ Primo's donation fund, Tribute event, Viewing and Funeral Services:

• To give directly to the family, you may deposit funds into Bank of America account #586027884671.

• Houston's Christian hip hop tribute: Hip Hop Hope will host a tribute to DJ Primo this Tuesday April 10, from 7:30-9pm @ The Prince Complex 3000 Jensen Dr. Houston, TX 77095.
  
  Every Tuesday night DJ Primo would serve the youth in 5th Ward and the Greater Houston area for HHH Tuesdays. This Tuesday we will honor him and serve his family by paying tribute to his legacy and collecting funds for his family.
  
  Please come prepared to be a blessing in this great time of need. We will have DJ Primo shirts for sale for $15 in which all proceeds will go to help out his wife and children. We will also take up a love offering. Military members are asked to wear their uniforms for a special military tribute.

• Viewing is this Thursday 2-8pm The Leal Funeral Chapel 2200 Wilcrest Dr. Houston, TX 77042. Phone 713-532-6939.

• Funeral Services will be held Friday 13th at Houston National Cemetery 10410 Veterans Memorial Drive Houston, TX 77038 9am. The chapel doors close at 9:15am and they will not allow anyone else in after that time. Please come early.
  

On behalf of his family, friends and the entire Christian Hip Hop community, your prayers and support are appreciated. May God bless you and your loved ones, keep them close, and may Jesus be your light and help in time of need.

Sincerly,
Bobby "Tre9" Herring

The following video is a song and slideshow that will be shown and performed at tonight's Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays event. Grab a tissue.

Additional benefit info for DJ Primo's family

So far, three artists/labels have offered future profits from sales of the albums that DJ Primo chopped and screwed for them to his family.

And DJ D-Lite assembled this collection of mixes Primo did for D-Lite's"3rd Coast Fiyah" radio show and will send all money derived from it to the Avila family.



A bank account has also been established for direct deposits to his wife Suhaylee and two children. That Bank of America account number is: 586027884671

Finally, this week we'll celebrate Primo's life and legacy at Hip Hop Hope Tuesday (where he was a faithful servant) at the Prince Complex at 3000 Jensen Drive.

Please contribute as you feel led.

VIDEO: Tre9 remembers DJ Primo (#RIPDJPrimo)

Yesterday, after the shocking news broke of DJ Primo's suicide, I caught up with urban missionary and DaSouth.com co-owner Bobby "Tre9" Herring to share our grief and fond memories of a friend.

Tre was gracious enough to let me capture his thoughts on video. Here, he shares why Carlos Avila was much more than just a chopped and screwed DJ and how he contributed to ministry to the hip hop community here in Houston.

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.

Houston's Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays celebrates 2 year anniversary

Next week, Houston’s Eyes On Me ministries will celebrate its second year of Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays events at the Prince Complex in 5th Ward.

Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays (HHHT) is a weekly youth service designed to uplift, enlighten, and encourage young people entrenched in urban rap music culture. Much Luvv Records founder Bobby “Tre9″ Herring launched the first Hip Hop Hope event in partnership with Rap-a-Lot Records on Easter weekend 2009.

DJ Primo shows kids how to mix and scratch

“A lot of rappers mention giving back to the neighborhoods they came from but very few actually do,” Herring told me before last year’s anniversary event. “Talk is cheap, so with Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays, we want to show that the Houston rap community can make good on our word and bring positivity to the parts of our city that need it most.”

This year’s affair will include a performance by rapper/singer bigAL from Monroe, Louisiana along with various prizes, dancers, and food. Rap-A-Lot’s founder James “J” Prince and hip hop star/Rice University professor Bun B (UGK) have also been invited to attend.

All parts of the evening are free of charge. It takes place July 5, from 7:30 – 9pm at the Prince Complex located at 3000 Jensen Drive.

Earlier this week Eyes On Me also announced they had purchased a used, 22-passenger shuttle bus for transporting kids and parents to their Hip Hop Hope Tuesday events and for use with the Feed a Friend homeless ministry they run every night in downtown Houston.

At last year’s anniversary party Rap-A-Lot Records’ somewhat reclusive founder talked to me about why hosting Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays at his community center means so much to him. My conversation with J.Prince is posted below.

Houston Rappers Give Back to 5th Ward Community through Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays

Refuting the stereotype that all street rappers are selfish thugs, Houston’s rap community will join forces on June 8 from 7 – 9pm to kickoff the summer Hip Hop Hope Tuesday series at the Prince Complex (3000 Jensen Dr.) in the heart of the 5th Ward.

Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays (HHHT) is a weekly youth service designed to uplift, enlighten, and encourage young people entrenched in urban rap music culture.

Much Luvv Records founder Bobby “Tre9” Herring launched the first Hip Hop Hope event in partnership with Rap-a-Lot Records on Easter weekend 2009.

“A lot of rappers mention giving back to the neighborhoods they came from but very few actually do,” Herring said. “Talk is cheap, so with Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays, we want to show that the Houston rap community can make good on our word and bring positivity to the parts of our city that need it most.”

The Prince Complex was founded by J. Prince who founded and runs Rap-A-Lot Records also. Prince is from the 5th Ward and developed the non-profit youth center over a decade ago to offer a “Pathway to Empowerment.” Prince and Rap-A-Lot affiliated MCs including Willie D (Geto Boys), Bun B (UGK), and 007 (5th Ward Boys) are also scheduled to participate on the June 8 kickoff event. Many members of H-town’s Christian rap community will also be there in full force.


Andre "007" Barnes @ SXSW 2009 - Photo by Sketch the Journalist

Andre “007” Barnes is a 5th Ward native and frequent HHHT volunteer. His story is a perfect example of how positive opportunities and role models (like those found at Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays) can lead to dramatic life change.

In the mid-90’s 007 gained fame and notoriety as a founding member of the hard core gangsta rap crew the 5th Ward Boyz. Unlike many of today’s street rappers, 007 was never a “studio gangsta.” His lyrics reflected his actual life. That included a murder case for shooting and killing a man trying to steal his car (later ruled a justifiable homicide) and armed robbery as well as selling and abusing drugs.

Eventually greed consumed 007. After a European tour in the year 2000, he was caught robbing three banks and sentenced to more than four years in prison. Upon release he caught another case that earned him an additional 15 months behind bars.

It was there, in jail once again, that Andre Barnes had his “Road to Damascus” experience. Finally encountering and understanding the true grace of God through the sacrifice of His one and only son, Barnes began to change.

When he walked out of the yard this time around, it was with a renewed mind. Barnes pursued ministry, established Taking Back the Streets, and opened Blessings Christian Bookstore with his wife and family.

Now a new creature, 007 has returned to the mic with a much different message.

“I’m just trying to show young people that you don’t have to let street life consume and define you,” Barnes said. “And Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays is the perfect place for me to share that with others.”

To keep up with Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays and Tre9’s other community building efforts, visit his blog at www.hiphopmissions.com.

Recap: Enock Benefit (10/27/09)

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm catching up on some of my photo recap blogs. Here are some flicks and info from the Enock Memorial Benefit Concert held in October at the Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays at The Prince Complex in Houston's 5th Ward.


CY noted that Enock often inspired him to up his rap game and then performed their collab cut "Back Home" and rapped Juan's verses in the third person. He tweaked them where appropriate to note that Enock was now indeed in his heavenly home.


Praise 92.1's DJ Wiz and Soulfruit's Ty were in the building. Soulfruit member Tobe was the initial producer for Enock's AWEthentic album.


HHHT mainstay DJ Primo scratched Scripture and video for a short message.


Gifted da Flamethrowa, SOM's Twin, and Stikk aka Stephan Oran were there as well. Stikk was the beatmaker/producer behind the final version of Enock's AWEthentic album.


In a tear-jerking moment, Enock's widow, Natalie James, took the mic to thank everyone for their prayers and support and encouraged the crowd to reinforce the message of Christ and seek God with our whole heart.


Hip hop dads IBC and Noe Ortiz aka DJ Millhouse were there.


The night ended with a great moment of worship and prayer from Colcutz's WE group. Cutz reminded us that Enock wasn't fake and wanted us to live the Christian life with the same sort of raw honesty he was known for. "Don't live life with a mask," he said.

Others in attendance included:

• Ganksta Loc
• Bless'T
• NuLife
• SOM
• Jesus Boyz

In all, the night raised over $900 for the James' family.

Vid: Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays mini doc

I ran across this promo vid Tre9 must have recently created for his Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays at Rap-A-Lot's Prince Complex in Houston's 5th Ward.

This clip gives a great overview of what it looks and sounds like along with interviews from participants and attendees.

For more on Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays check out Tre's missions blog.

Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays - 5th Ward

I'll have to take a late pass on this blog, but think there's still value in showing you what Tre9's Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays events look like.

The relationship between Tre and Rap-A-Lot Records' Prince Complex in Houston's 5th Ward neighborhood started this spring with the Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day. From there, it blossomed into a summer-long outreach that has carried on into the school year.

So here are a few flix and videos that reflect the look and feel of the nights. You can learn more about it by visiting Tre's Hip Hop Missions blog where you'll find video clips and rundowns of his recent work.

All photos by Sketch the Journalist


Each night a Christian hip hop artist or crew will perform and share their story. On this evening it was Von Won's Sheep in Wolves Clothing crew.

There's also an intro "icebreaker" game which kids moving around, engaged, and the chance to win Christian hip hop CDs.


DJ Primo not only spins the music, but also brings the Word with a special chopped and screwed mix of audio Scripture.


Tre9 keeps things moving and will act as the night's MC.


Artists and volunteers are always down with pray with people.


On this night, mainstream hip hop video show "Street Flava with D-Solo" (in the yellow H-town cap) stopped by to film a segment for a future episode.


Special guests like Bushwick Bill will also occasionally pop-in.


Primo is always down to share and show kids how he practices his craft.

Here's a video of Trevor Lee performing "Do It His Way."


And here's a clip of Zeeda giving her testimony.

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.

H-town Christian rappers Soulbrotha & Tre9 get local mainstream press

H-town's Soulbrotha and Tre9 recently garnered some good press in our city's two newspapers.

SB got the "Ask a Rapper" grill in the mainstream alternative Houston Press. My man deftly handled questions about selling out, Bushwick Bill, and other topics with grace, aplumb, and good humor.

Read it right here.

And over the weekend, Tre9 got a write up in the Houston Chronicle about his Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays at Rap-A-Lot's Prince Complex in 5th Ward.

Peep it right here.

Tre9's Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays in 5th Ward

Tre9's Hip Hop Hope Tuesdays is now up and running at the Prince Complex in Houston's infamous 5th Ward neighborhood.

Tre got the vision for this backyard mission field when he partnered with the complex (owned by J. Prince of Rap-A-Lot Records fame) for an Easter weekend community service/outreach.

Early reports are inspiring, with 8 people making a decision to become followers of Christ last week. Keep up with all the haps and see videos from the events on Tre9's Hip Hop Missionary blog.

Please also keep this effort in prayer.

As a bonus, "Street Flava," Houston's local mainstream rap TV show has taken interest in the affair and will be on location this Tuesday, July 14 to film footage for an upcoming episode.