Boot Camp Clik performed a free show for inmates
on Rikers Island yesterday (March 18).
The rappers performed for the C-74 block, a group
of inmates who are all minors ranging from the age of 14-17 years old.
"Sometimes we forget that these young inmates
are just kids that have had tough breaks in their lives," Duck Down CEO
Dru Ha told AllHipHop.com.
The concert, organized by The Cell Block Project,
was one in series of ongoing events for the inmates. In addition to performing,
the Boot Camp Clik organized what Dru-Ha labeled the first official prison MC
battle, with Boot Camp members serving as the judges.
"It’s important to know that a lot these
kids in Rikers are just being detained (because they cannot post bail) until
their trials and a majority of them have not even been convicted yet,"
Dru Ha continued.
Originally started by defunct magazine, Stress,
organizer Vee Bravo has brought out hip-hop’s royalty over the past six years.
Rappers such as the late Big Pun, Noreaga, Styles P., Wu-Tang Clan, Dead Prez
and now Boot Camp have performed.
"By coming out to Rikers it gives artists
a chance to spread some positive words to these young people and lets them know
that people do care," concluded Dru-Ha.
