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.

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.