Rapper Reaches Out to At-Risk Youth

Al Kapone attends 13th anniversary of Jackson’s anti-crime march

By Tajuana Cheshier
The Jackson Sun
September 23, 2006

The 13th anniversary of Jackson’s own anti-crime march was all about opposites.

For example - the guest speaker and performer Memphis rap artist Al Kapone told youth to do something positive with their lives - which dispels what one would expect to hear from someone bearing the name of a famed Chicago gangster of the 1920s.

But Kapone, aka Alphonzo Bailey, was approachable and encouraging to the Jacksonians as he stopped to autograph pieces of paper and participants’ anniversary T-shirts.

The shirts - designed by community activist Shirlene Mercer - are the other example. They were white with green lettering and included a four-leaf clover next to the number 13.

“What I’m trying to say is, ‘No more bad luck,’” Mercer said, referring to the unluckiness of the number and the luck that clover is supposed to bring.

About 100 participants marched Friday, including local dignitaries, residents and youth.

They gathered in the basketball courts of Allenton Heights donning their anniversary T-shirts, ready to chant their weekly chant, “Up with hope, down with dope.”

But on this day, the increased number of participants was quite the opposite of recent marches.

They began with a prayer and headed south on Royal Street to the Jackson Police Department.

As the marchers passed the residents of Allenton Heights, Laura Mills cheered them on from her porch.

She thinks the city would be safer if police solved its unsolved homicides and increased patrols.

“I think the marches are good for the youth, but I don’t think it helps the adults,” Mills said.

Several students from Tigrett Middle School participated in Friday’s march courtesy of their teacher, Anna Parks-Covington.

“I think the crime march is a good thing for people who have lost someone,” said Kaitlin Nichelson, 13.

Thirteen-year-old Cora Jennings hopes the marches will stop crime in the community, but she was also excited to see Al Kapone perform.

Kapone met with Jackson Police Chief Rick Staples and Shirlene Mercer before his performance.

“I think what she’s doing is beautiful,” he said. “That’s what it’s about, knowing that people really care, and this is a perfect example.”

During the program, Jackson City Councilman Johnny Dodd presented the rap artist with a key to the city.

And before Kapone told the crowd to “Get Crunk” and “Strike a Pose,” he gave youth his message.

“Every move you make right now, once you’re grown, you’ll have to pay for it,” said Kapone, who came to Jackson free of charge. “Don’t be around someone pulling you down.”

Kapone said it is important to break the cycle of crime in black community.

“You don’t have to go for the short term; you’ve got a life to live,” he said before performing. “Do something positive so you can see the fruits of it.”

Kapone is most known for writing the lyrics to “It Ain’t Over” off the “Hustle & Flow” soundtrack.

Mercer took a little heat from naysayers in the community who questioned why she wanted to bring a rap artist to the crime march.

“They need to have been at the march and seen the smiling faces,” Mercer said. “He was anxious to talk to the kids.”

Mercer was pleased with the turnout and plans to continue marching as long as there are crimes being committed, especially homicides.

There have been nine homicides; none of them has been solved, though there has been an arrest in one of them, according to Jackson Police records.

Dodd, who also has been at the helm of continuing the crime marches, had hoped for even more people to attend Friday’s anniversary march.

“Jesus did it with 12 people, so we’ve got to keep on pushing and encouraging people to stop the violence.”

Source: jacksonsun.com