Hip-Hop Providing Opportunities to Reach the Youth in PDX

Hip hop has provided so many opportunities to reach out to the community, Diezel P and Parks and Recreations introduced the second annual H2Flow Show on August 20th, 2009 at Pier Pool in St. John’s.  The H2Flow show gives teens an opportunity to showcase their talents as MC’s, Rappers, Poets, and Singers without using derogatory language, profanity, or negative messages.  The goal of the H2Flow Show is to show the youth that Hip-Hop can be positive and can make a difference in your community; also it gives teens a chance to positively express themselves through music and let their voice be heard while competing for prizes.  This year’s contestants were Arion B., Andrew, Jawan, Joseph, and Charlie, whom all proved they have talent as Hip Hop artists while impressing Pier Pool and judges Diezel P, J Kron, and Rah-Miel Mitchell.  Arion B. took the title this year, but as long as these young aspiring artists continue to express themselves positively through Hip-Hop, than they will all remain winners!

Randal Wyatt is currently a recreational leader at Parks and Recreation and brought various Hip Hop artists such as Cool Nutz, Braille, Mr.MR and many more from all over Portland to perform for teenagers during their teen swims at multiple community centers. He is in the process of creating a Hip Hop educational class for teenagers at University Park Community Center to help develop and direct the skills of young aspiring artists in the greater Portland area.

Portland State University is also providing their facilities for local artists and charitable organization reps, giving the community a chance to collaborate and create our own organization. Recently, Randal has come up with a group called “the H.A.V.E.N” (Hip-Hop Against Violence Everywhere Now).  His goal is to grow and use this group for panel discussions about the current state of Hip Hop, prevention of violence in our community, and begin coordinating charitable hip hop events in the near future. Below is an event hosted by Portland Parks and Recreation freestyle contest in North Portland. We would like to give thanks to the District Aquatic Coordinator Phil Lewis and his staff for an amazing event.