Houston's 97.9 KBXX’s Hip Hop 4 HIV: The Right Cause With The Wrong Reward

Author’s note: This post contains references to rap lyrics that describe sexual behavior in explicit detail and may be offensive to some readers. They have been edited as much as possible, but are presented to prove a specific point to the contrary.

On Saturday afternoon, for the fourth year in row, the Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) and 97.9 KBXX will celebrate a near month-long campaign of HIV awareness with a rap concert.

Approximately 15,000 teens and young adults will get to go to the exclusive show, headlined by acts such as Plies, Paul Wall, Bun B, and Lloyd Banks, as a treat for taking part in the Fourth Annual Hip Hop for HIV Awareness Intervention, a four-day HIV and syphilis screening event.

It’s undoubtedly the right cause with a wrong reward.

Hip Hop 4 HIV’s Mixed Messages

Unfortunately, the rappers chosen to perform on Saturday will often present a message that is in direct opposition to this noble pursuit of improved community health. Many of their songs seem to celebrate and encourage the dangerous sexual and social behavior that increases the risks of contracting this deadly disease. The educational information 97.9 has published on its own website says as much.

From KBXX’s website:

How is HIV transmitted?

HIV transmission can occur when blood, semen (cum), pre-seminal fluid (pre-cum), vaginal fluid, or breast milk from an infected person enters the body of an uninfected person. The virus must be present; meaning an individual must be infected with HIV in order to infect others.

HIV can enter the body through a vein (e.g., injection drug use), the lining of the anus or rectum, the lining of the vagina and/or cervix, the opening to the penis, the mouth, other mucous membranes (e.g., eyes or inside of the nose), or cuts and sores. Intact, healthy skin is an excellent barrier against HIV and other viruses and bacteria.

Can I get HIV from unprotected oral sex?

Yes, there are documented cases of HIV infection from oral sex with both men and women. Body fluids exchanged through sexual activity can enter cuts in the mouth and get into the bloodstream. Also, certain cells in the mucus lining of the mouth may carry HIV into the lymph nodes or bloodstream. Reduce the risk of HIV during oral sex by using a latex or polyurethane barrier such as a condom or dental dam.

Isn’t abstinence the only way to prevent HIV?

Abstaining from sexual activity or certain sexual behaviors can certainly eliminate risk. So can eliminating alcohol or other drug use that may impair judgment when in sexual situations. However, abstinence also has its own “failure rates.” It is equally important for people to know how to reduce risk as it is for them to know how to eliminate it.

Hip Hop 4 HIV main eventer Plies has crafted a public image that’s half goon / half nymphomaniac. It will be interesting to see if he’ll perform his song “Becky” (a slang term to describe oral sex) on Saturday.

Sample lyrics:

Plies – “Becky”

I’m on this liquor / oh so heavy / ‘Fo we f—k. can you neck me? / A lil’ h—d and I am ready / I want yo mouth, give me that Becky

Or what about Houston-native Paul Wall? Will he perform his new hit song “I’m On Patron” that talks about him being “so gone” that he needs a ride home or “I’m a Playa” with its implications of casual sex?

Paul Wall – ‘I’m a Playa”

Wave the trunk and chunk the deuce / keep it movin’ / I’m on the prowl / I’m on the hunt for some one-night love / best believe that’s it’s goin’ down

Surely “7 shots to the dome” can’t help his judgment.

What about South Texas favorite Bun B? Can we expect to hear his pimp anthem that solicits johns for anal sex encounters with his “b---h?”

Bun B – “Who Needs a B---h?”

If anybody need a b---h then I got one / put her in the drop and you can let her ride shot gun / she can suck your d--k while you mash on the gas / so you can take her to the crib and put some d--k in her a-- / Who need a..

If anybody need a b---h just holla / I got top notch p---y for your bottom white dolla' / we poppin our collars and dustin’ these gators off / not to mention we brushin’ these haters off / Now tell me who need a..

And the teens and young adults in the audience can expect to hear Lloyd Bank’s smash “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley” that brags about his threesomes, right?

Lloyd Banks – “Beamer, Benz, or Bentley”

I got a girl named Kima / and Kima like Christina / baby three don’t make a crowd, it make a sex scene meaner / I just wanna get between her / turn it over scream her / then it’s one, two, I’m through, see ya / I scoop her in my Beamer, Benz or Bentley…

It’s extremely rare to ever hear a mainstream rap song that mentions, much less encourages, the use of condoms, dental dams, or abstention from drug use and casual sex that can help curb the spread of HIV. It’s doubtful that will change at Saturday’s concert.

Again, the cause of raising awareness and mobilizing listeners to actively get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is a righteous cause. It’s the reward that’s offered as a motivation that sends a completely mixed message.

It would be like Channel 2 KPRC encouraging obesity education and diabetes testing to its viewers by promising a trip to an all-you-can eat dessert buffet sponsored by Hostess as a reciprocal prize. How does that make any sense at all?



Hip Hop 4 HIV Needs a New Voice

Using hip hop to reach young people and 97.9’s target audience is a no-brainer. But they should at least offer performers with a catalog of songs that reinforce their message, not fly in its face.

Houston has a large community of positive hip hop artists that could easily fit this bill. Two that immediately come to mind are J. Xavier and the Still Trill Christians.

They are not unknown to audiences consumed with mainstream media either. J. Xavier has had video play on BET and earned screen time in MTV’s “Super Sweet 16” movie. And earlier this year the Still Trill Christians were interviewed and asked to perform on BET’s 106 & Park video countdown show.

Contrast STC's "No Sex" lyrics to those listed above.

Still Trill Christians - "No Sex"

We can hit the mall and go shopping while we in it / and you be lookin' good girl, I must admit it / but I don't need no sex, sex, sex, sex, sex / cuz you're worth more than that, that, that, that, that

Please don't get me wrong, lil mama, you're so fly / but I listen to my Daddy / and that's the reason why / that I don't need no sex, sex, sex, sex, sex / cuz I'm worth more than that, that, that, that, that

And if 97.9 needs even more names to fill out the Hip Hop 4 HIV roster then perhaps they can pull from the list of artists they play on Praise 92.1 – the Box’s sister gospel station that is also owned by their Radio One parent company. Praise 92.1 even has its own Christian hip hop shows and on-air personalities that would certainly be willing to help and provide musical content that better supports the goal of this event.

Hip Hop 4 HIV is a worthwhile effort. But at this point, it’s diminishing its powerful message in favor of pop appeal.


Houston’s Still Trill Christians performing “No Sex” on BET’s 106 & Park

Applejaxx "Databass" release day / Sketch feature on Lil J Xavier in JUST Mag

Applejaxx's fine "Databass" mixtape releases today (Tuesday, July 15) for a mere $10 at Fadacy.com.


Photo by Sketch the Journalist

Also, my shelved profile on Lil J Xavier had new life breathed into it this week when JUST Magazine picked it up for the launch of their website.

Click here to read about Houston's HHH wunderkind.

Recap: Christ: That's What's Up / Sugarhill Gang feat. J Xavier & Tre9? (8/11/07)

My apologies to 007 and the rest of the crew at Greater New Vision Church for the tardiness of this recap. Two months is too long and they deserve better.

Anyway, here goes. As they say, please charge it to my head (and schedule) and not my heart.

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The "Christ: That's What's Up" was the first holy hip hop event for Greater New Vision Church but one that seems like it might have some legs.

Pastor Nathaniel Dugay III is a young dude who sees the value in using this music for ministry. An original screwhead who knows his Pac, has tats, and prefers to be called "100" (cuz that's the percent he keeps it real whitcha), the guy obviously understands the culture.

The idea behind the day was to explore the question "Can I live for Christ and still be Hip-Hop?" It started off with a panel discussion about the topic. Particpants included Tre9, Colcutz, Bless't, and 007.

The moderator asked the audience of teenagers and young adults about their thoughts on "Christian rap" and why, even when churches try to embrace and present it to them, it seems to be rejected.

The main thought was that it was too corny and not real enough. The panel explained that they (the audience) probably had not been exposed to quality music ministry due to a lack of knowledge and/or funds on behalf of their church leaders.

There was more meat to the discussion than I can convey in this little blog, but the dialogue between the church leaders and the kids seemed to be very earnest and heatfelt. The adults were really trying to understand how to make this work and embrace the positive, God-glorifying aspects of the hip hop culture within a sanctuary setting.

Pastor 100 even plans to have a full-out hip hop Sunday at his church once a month with everyone dressed up, spitting rhymes, and really living it out. I applaud this view and the fact that there seems to be a plan to actually put this stuff in action.

Find out more on the church at: http://greaternewvisionchurch.org/



007 & 100 greet the night's guests.



The night kicked off with some praise and worship time.



007 mean mugs with Deuce & Ace backstage.



A&D take to the platform.



Bless't & D-Cipher chop it up.



Young Disciple got an assist from the A&D boys.



Yunek and the ladies of Blase chillax.



J-Free on the m-i-c.



CY and Jon P (of S.O.M.) hang out upstairs.



D-Cipher was honored for donating his time and talent toward the graphic art needs of the event.



Von Won & Tre9 show 'em how to "Rise to the Top."



Tre9 schools 100 on how to "Put Them Hands Up."



Bless't is so throwed.



Soldiers On a Mission / betta listen.



Goldenchild (S.O.M.) warns you not to look at the http://www.realityrap.com/ address on the back of his big, black tee.



CY takes 'em to the circus (even without the top hat and tails.)



100 gets down with the crowd.



Blase'n the stage.



Double-O was feelin' it.



Yunek gives 'em a preview of her Exodous.



After the CTWU event, the Much Luvv crew bounced over to The Meridian club where Tre9 was going to open for the legendary Sugarhill Gang.

Too bad nobody showed up...



Eventually some people did make it there and the show got started with (Lil) J Xavier. Dude may only be 15 years old, but he's one of the most polished performers in the biz.



J slings his Jesus piece.



Funky stage shot.



Tre9 and S.O.M.'s Boyce get the crowd pumped...

Until it was announced that the night was going to end early. Only about 30 people were in the audience and I guess both the club owners and the Sugarhill Gang didn't feel it was worth breaking a sweat and staying up late for a show.

Talk about a buzz kill.



Here's a shot of the awkward 10 minute window of confusion where even the stage DJ didn't know what was going on.

The Meridian went as far as blasting some corny country music through the house speakers to drive people out and nobody knew if Tre's set was officially over or not.



Finally, the Farmer got to go back up and finish.



Vonster Wonster also got some mic time.



They were steadily cutting the sound and raising the house lights but Von keep it flowing until there was nothing left.

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So a pretty uneven day overall. The CTWU event was nice and brought hope while the Sugarhill Gang thang disappointed.

Further illustration of our struggle for good hip hop: A lack of support.

Keep it in prayer.