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- I began to find interest in helping others when I was nineteen. Intrigued with modern
culture and the energy of empowerment, I created a hip-hop group called "Two Black,
Three Strong". We performed at numerous venues expressing our consciousness of
community problems. In efforts to contribute, I started to make phone calls to public figures
and I searched everywhere I could, to see how we could make an impact on our decaying
environment, I came across the company “P.A. A. N” The Philadelphia Anti-Drug
Network/Anti-Violence Network. Horus Smalls, “Program Counselor ”, shared the same
interest that I did. I volunteered most my time and aid as well as the other members in the
group at community centers, schools, and countless neighborhoods; we were determined
to do whatever we could do to make a difference. I received a call from Mr. James Mills,
Director of the Anti-Drug/Anti-Violence Network, asking if we could make a song for the two-
week gun program. I agreed and he replied, “Good. You have until tomorrow”. Less than
twenty-four hours later (with the help from Jermaine Deleon and James McBryde I molded
a song and called it "Join The Resistance", I performed the song the next day live for the six
o'clock news. Every channel was there along with the former Mayor of Philadelphia, Wilson
Good. The program was such a success. Hundreds of guns were rolling in from off the
streets; people were turning in their unloaded guns with pride. In return they received
twenty dollars.
- In the early 90's I was asked to be one of the ten member
the suggestions of city youths about ending violence in the city of
Philadelphia with all the preforming that we had been doing at the
time we were seen as a rap group that had anti-violence
messages. This was also shown as a commercial on channel 29
with me saying while on the panel amongst other things.
" If you have to prove yourself to be a man your not one."
- It was around this time that I went out and spoke at some of the
Camden and Philadelphia schools about violence and drugs.
~ Reasons not to hang out on street corners.
~ Alternatives to violence
~ Why you shouldn't do drugs and what they do to you.
Followed by a performance from our group Two Black Three Strong.
- Not only did we send out this message of peace and hope to our city we
also sent this massage globally. Philadelphia rap group Two Black Three
Strong sends a message of peace and unity to the masses at the Rio
Earth Summit in Brazil. This message was part of Philly Sounds out: A
Video Postcard from the people that was highlighted on HBO and shown
at the Global Forum Amphitheater during the Earth Summit. Calling for
peace in our streets, peace in our schools, and peace at home this rap
trio joined other Philadelphia teens in declaring peace with each other
and with all young people around the world. Our latest song Save the
Children was featured as part of the video postcard sent to Brazil.
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