If it seems as though Percy Miller,
known in the rap industry as Master P., has become a lot more visible in Memphis, that’s because
it’s true.
No longer taking the rap for his
former bad boy image, Miller was in the city early last month with his rapper
son, Lil’ Romeo, to conduct a basketball camp for kids ages 7-15. Last Friday,
he was in Memphis to promote the 1st annual “Let
The Kids Grow Day” at Mud
Island River
Park on Aug. 1.
On that day from 9 a.m. to noon, Miller
and Lil’ Romeo will be at the park to deliver free school supplies from
Wal-Mart to more than 5,000 children ages 6-16.
“We created the program to prepare
kids for school,” said the native from New
Orleans. “I want kids to know that it’s cool to go to
school. That’s my passion for being in Memphis.”
During an interview with the
Tri-State Defender, Miller said he is getting the best of both worlds – Memphis and New
Orleans.
“I’m helping the inner-city kids in Memphis,” he said. “And
I’m also helping the families that have made Memphis their home (after Hurricane
Katrina).”
The goal of the program is to
educate kids to be great students and to show them the importance of staying
away from drugs and gangs.
Miller said the aim also is to
prepare and encourage minority inner-city children to work hard in school,
pursue college, and build careers for tomorrow.
“It’s important for them to follow
their dreams,” he added.
Children who want to take advantage
of the free school supplies, Miller said, must submit a short essay entitled
“Why is education so important”?
Ten essay winners will be chosen to
receive a $500 shopping spree. Also, there will be live musical entertainment
and motivational speakers from the community.
Miller said the essay is a way of
steering students toward academic development. “I want to get into these kids’
minds and let them know the importance of education.”
Miller and Lil’ Romeo will be
accompanied by Gee Gee “The Magical” Giraffe, a movie character Miller created
for children.
“Gee Gee is going to be a true role
model and teach kids through music, books, song, dance, live action, and
animation,” Romeo said.
Though some students may not be able
to afford school supplies, Miller believes the free supplies would give them a
jumpstart before school begins.
“We’re sending a message of hope to
inner-city kids, saying, ‘You know what, he started out the wrong way, but he
got his act together,’” Miller said about himself.
“I grew up in New Orleans and people know how hard it is,”
Miller said. “With the Memphis
crime rate… I look at it like we’re not promoting positiveness.”
The streets are mean, he said, and
children will have a hard time trying to slick him. “I know the game. I know
the violence. I’ve seen people end up in jail or dead,” he said
matter-of-factly.
“You can look at my life and say
‘P., why did you make these changes?’” “Why not.”
