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Starting in St. Louis and expanding to Dallas 3 years ago, the program offers incentives like free studio time, backstage access to concerts and events, interaction with industry professionals and radio exposure alongside mentoring and guidance.
Dontey Carter, a young man in his early 20s, lives in St. Louis’ tough Walnut Park area and has seen violence firsthand in the streets of his neighborhood. But, he adds, since Dynasty Hip Hop has been offered by the Nation of Islam’s Muhammad Mosque No. 28, his life has changed.
“The Nation of Islam, Mr. Muhammad (James W. Muhammad) and Dynasty has been there for me,” Mr. Carter said. “I go and get the free studio time, and (Mr. Muhammad) is a strong example in getting me off these streets and doing my music and just bettering my life.”
“The work of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan inspired us to do what we are doing,” explains James W. Muhammad, co-founder of Dynasty Hip Hop.
“He has always been a mentor and a guide to the hip hop community, from the days of Public Enemy, Kane, Doug E. Fresh, and up to Ice Cube, Snoop, T.I., and so many others. We, being already involved with hip hop, knew with his example we could mentor and give guidance as well,” James W. Muhammad says.
Through Dynasty Hip Hop youth can get help with everything from improving school performance to finding alternatives to negative and sometimes violent activity and simply becoming better people.
The program has a Feed the Streets initiative where youth and parents come to the mosques, eat for free and hear uplifting messages. This initiative has helped make Dynasty popular as well. “We really appreciate this, the program has been great,” said Veronica Sweet, whose son Andre is a program mentee. Through Dynasty, Andre is in the process of getting a song played on Radio One’s 97.9 The Beat in Dallas.
In St. Louis words of appreciation are also being offered for the work Dynasty Hip Hop has done. “I believe that Dynasty is an essential part of our plan to rehabilitate and educate the youth,” said Judge Jimmie Edwards, who enlisted Dynasty to become part of the program at the Innovative Concept Academy, an alternative school for juvenile delinquents that Judge Edwards founded.
James W. Muhammad says Dynasty plans to do similar things this summer, including offering a chance for young people to work with Grammy award winning, platinum selling producers The Trak Starz, who have written songs for major artists such as Chris Brown, Rihanna, and Britney Spears.
Dynasty in Dallas is further impacting the community as it partners with Muhammad Mosque No. 48 on Sundays at 2 p.m. “Muhammad Mosque No. 48 has partnered with Dynasty Hip Hop-Dallas to get youth off the street with hip hop. Great work introducing the youth to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, while providing righteous guidance in helping them to fulfill their dreams as hip hop artists,” said Student Minister Jeffery Muhammad, Dallas representative of the Nation of Islam.
For more info on Dynasty Hip-Hop Inc. Mentoring Program call 214-519-9016/314-243-4722 or find Dynasty Hip Hop on Facebook, and follow the group on Twitter @DynHipHopMentor.