The recent devastation wrought by Hurricanes Irma and Maria left a vast number of citizens homeless, hopeless and in desperate need of help and aggressive action in Houston, Florida, and the Caribbean. The lives of these victims remain imperiled due to lack of food, water, everyday essentials, and even access to communication.
Activist, founder and organizer of Hip Hop 4 The People, YoNasDa Lonewolf, launched efforts in 11 cities to get public figures involved to give back to the hurricane victims. In the past, Lonewolf has also assisted in building a platform to help victims of the 2010 earthquake that destroyed Haiti, and the Flint, Michigan, water crisis. Hip Hop 4 The People has drawn various entertainers and hip-hop artists who dedicated their selfless time and hard work to serve the destroyed communities. The participating cities are Miami; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Detroit; New York; Los Angeles; Houston; Baltimore; Atlanta; Blanding, Connecticut; and New Bedford, Massachusetts. All proceeds and essentials will be delivered to Houston, Florida, and the Caribbean. Notables such as Zoey Dollaz, Styles P, YG, Monifa, Nikki D, and MC Lyte have performed in recent benefit concerts.
Hip Hop 4 The People made its way to Detroit, receiving a tremendous amount of support from many local artists, entertainers and leaders. The creative directors of Hip Hop 4 The People Detroit, Piper Carter, and Fatima Tekko, worked tirelessly to gather selfless individuals willing and ready to make a change.
“This endeavor was to raise awareness about the issue, ways to get involved and support. I believe there are ways to blend the mainstream and underground artist. For example, mainstream can uplift the underground artists, and the underground can lean into the mainstream and teach them because the underground artists are doing more of the reading, learning and researching around activism. The mainstream artists are more involved in economic empowerment and more so with resources available with entertainment, and that’s how people will become more invested and civically engaged in an economic system where we learn to support one another,” Carter explains to rolling out.
Sponsored by Oh So Radio, attendees gathered to enjoy revolutionary vibes, spoken word and performances from local Detroit entertainers such as Big Gov, Killa Ko, Rosie and the Fellas, Rico Lavelle, with DJ Los on the ones and twos. Detroit Piston Andre Drummond made a special appearance and even rapped some tunes with his fellow guest artist Travis Romell. Throughout the show, attendees were encouraged to text “Relief” to 48421, to donate. Detroit was also awarded for this initiative by Mayor Duggan for its commendable support of hurricane relief. Chicago, Cleveland, and NY are the additional cities who will raise more funds for the hurricane relief. Those who wish to contribute can still drop off donations at 4605 Cass Ave. Detroit MI 48201, visit hiphop4.net, and text “Relief’ to 48421.
