A good friend of mine, Harlan Redmond, runs an inspiring mentoring program at John Muir High School in Pasadena, CA. This program is intended to work with young people that come from troubled backgrounds. The program is also driven to serve young men as well. Harlan works with many of the young men and uses media, art, music, & culture to engage his audience. Moreover, Harlan is what I would call a true urban minister of the 21^st century.

 

While Harlan and his team use the normal field trips, and LA Dodger events to connect with his youth, Harlan and his team also realize that it takes just a little more to connect with a Hip Hop infused urban youth culture.

 

On a Tuesday afternoon in late in the school year, Rapper and actor Jayceon Taylor, The Game, made a guest appearance at John Muir High School.

The Game focused on positively speaking to the students about life, the streets, and avoiding many of the pitfalls and mistakes he had made in his own life. The Game took time to really talk about how hard it really is to survive on the streets and that young people should take the time to really think about the decisions they are making. Moreover, The Game also made a strong connection with his music and the reality of life and that while some of his music does talk about negative aspects of street life, those stories are not meant to be lived out, and that they are merely just that: stories. The Game took time to answer questions and talk with the youth about life.

 

This is great example of what I think many rappers need to be doing with their time, money, and energy. This is the type of stuff though, that does not make big headlines or news. The Pasadena Star News did write up a small article on the event, but I can bet you $100 that if The Game had been involved in a scuffle with someone or had been around a shooting, it would have made even larger headlines. This is one of the many problems that Hip Hop and Rap culture have in general: the gangster beat down everyone, scary Black male, stereotype that many media outlets seem to perpetuate.

 

Rappers like Tupac made it a regular to do community service. In fact, much of his multi-million dollar home was a refuge and shelter for those on the street that did not have a home or place to stay. Tupac created several foundations and even in post-humus his legacy lives on with The Tupac Amaru Foundation for the Arts.

 

Many other rappers continue to remain “human” as well. KRS-One is a regular in these parts of LA, and is a powerful role model. Even Snoop Dogg coaches a football team of kids! Master P is also a regular in helping reach youth. He and I have been on a panel or two.

 

While I will be the first to argue that youth need more than just a good “talking to” it is also extremely important to see the “human” side of celebrityism and to talk with someone who has, in many estimations, “made it.” Hence, I applaud rappers like Jayceon. While he is in no way perfect, he does stay true to “The Game” and give a little back to communities that need it. This is Hip Hop. Jayceon “looks like” someone who might just take your wallet in a dark alley (And he tends to play those roles too in films unfortunately), but in reality, he actually does care about something other than Bling, strip clubs, and thongs. I for one would love to see more rappers following suit and begin to really deal with the issues of the ‘hood; they are begging to be talked about.

 

I am encouraged by 1) Harlan and his pursuit of excellence in mentoring and bringing his students the absolute best he can afford, and by 2) The Game giving back and taking time to reach out to a group that looks up to him. It is also hope, for me, that Rap music has not completely “Crossed Over” as EPMD would say. It is also encouraging to see that mainstream Hip Hop is not completely sold out. I hope to see more of this!