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.

 

 

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.

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.

Recap: Rap-A-Lot/Much Luvv Records Outreach

All photos and text by Sketch the Journalist

“This place used to be junkyard,” Uncle Lloyd said. “But here we are ten years later and, not only is it a place for recreation, but we also believe it is a place for re-creation.”

Lloyd Prince was talking about the Prince Complex, the non-profit youth center he co-founded over a decade ago with Rap-A-Lot Records CEO James J. Prince.


Tre9 presents Uncle Lloyd & Mrs. Prince with a token of appreciation

Located in the heart of the infamous 5th Ward Houston neighborhood he once called home, the organization is designed to be a safe haven for “at-risk” youth and offers after-school basketball and boxing activities along with various community outreach programs for students and seniors.

The complex was celebrated on April 11, 2009 with a Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day. The event was co-sponsored by Rap-A-Lot and Much Luvv Records along with Copperfield Church and several other service organizations. Its afternoon featured performances by Christian hip hop artists, grocery distribution, inflatable games, basketball skill competitions, free food, and special appearances by well known rappers Gravy (aka Jamal Woolard from the Notorious B.I.G. biopic) and Bun B (of UGK).


On stage, Gravy told the crowd he was there to hang out all day, sign autographs, take pics, and talk to people about anything


Bun B gets interviewed by former 5th Ward Boy (and new Christian MC) 007

Approximately 400 people attended the event between the hours of noon and 4pm. Five pallets of food from Target Hunger resulted in bags of groceries for more than 250 needy families and 19 people received free HIV tests from organizations like FUUSA (Families Under Urban & Social Attack.)

Christian rappers The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. drove over three hours from Austin just to perform a ten minute set and participate in the outreach.


Early morning setup for the grocery distribution


Victorious (The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S.), Gifted (Much Luvv Records), 007 (5th Ward Boyz), & DJ D-Lite (DaSouth.com Radio)

“More people need to begin to show the love of God [in ways like this],” group member Victorious said. “The simple fact of the matter is we’ve got prophesying down, we’ve got preaching down, we’ve got taking offerings down… but this love thing is something we’re really suffering with and not enough people are walking in the true ‘agape’ love of God.

“Jesus said you will know my disciples, my followers, by the love they have for one another. So that’s why when a guy like [Much Luvv CEO] Tre9 calls and invites us out, we’re there to support.”


The slam dunk contest was pretty ill.


Bun either really didn't like a dunk or saw me with the camera and decided to play along.

Neither Gravy nor Bun B performed at the event, but both did take the microphone to encourage attendees and play “celebrity judge” during the slam dunk competition held in the Prince Complex gymnasium.

The fact that this day fell on Easter weekend held special significance for many of the Christians in attendance.


Volunteers from Copperfield Church did a variety of jobs, including face (and hand) painting.


The Prince Complex provided the chairs and venue.

“We will always recognize God’s place in our lives and that Jesus’ resurrection makes all of this possible,” Uncle Lloyd said from the stage. “Our family name of Prince may be on the building, but we set out to make an impact in the name of the Prince of Peace.”

The inaugural Hip Hop Hope Family Fun Day began and ended with a group prayer led by Much Luvv’s Bobby “Tre9” Herring. He spearheaded the partnership with Rap-A-Lot and expressed his appreciation for the support of all of the event’s sponsors.


Colcutz & WE brought their "Worship Experience" to the event.


White tees for the volunteers also commemorated the day.

“I think we’ve opened a door to a great relationship with the Prince Complex and its 5th Ward community,” Herring said. “I look forward to doing more outreaches with them throughout the year and starting a weekly Bible study there this summer.”

Additional photos:


007, Von Won, & Tre9 perform "Rise to the Top"


Bun B takes in the final presentations and prayer.


J Xavier in a fresh "Run DC" Barak Obama tee.


The crowd gathers for the 3-point and slam dunk competitions. DaSouth.com was an event sponsor.


Issac White kilt (with a "t") the dunk comp. Vince Carter arm-in-the-hoop and errythang.


The M5 Mobile Ministry truck provided the stage & sound.


Houston holy hip hop mainstays Ras & Soulfruit


The W.A.R.R.I.O.R.S. drove down from Austin to be involved.


Videographer Orlando Briones, Gravy, & Sketch