Hip-Hop veteran Roxanne Shante
is all about the ice, but not the diamonds that are draping a lot of emcees necks;
she’s all about the ice cream and has opened “Hip-Hop Ices,” a new
ice cream parlor in Jamaica, Queens.
Hip Hop Ices located at 153-33 Hillside Avenue, will serve as the flagship
location for the business, which will open shop in Atlanta as well as on the West
coast.
"A lot of artists are talking about keeping it real and what they are
going to do in the community, well I am doing it with Hip-Hop Ices," Shante
told AllHipHop.com " I have made sure that Hip-Hop Ices not only serves
as a place where kids come to relax, but also receive knowledge from various
the workshops we hold."
Shante, who runs a psychology practice in New York, explained that she shows
kids the value of hard work.
“I only employ high school students,” Shante said. “I want
to make sure that this is not only a job, but that they learn how to enterprise.
The students that work for me play a role in scheduling, budgeting and ordering."
Hip-Hop Ices is also lined up with support from corporate sponsors that help
with giveaways and contests.
“We are located near the largest high schools in each city, so students
who are in high school can receive Ice Cream sneakers, clothes and stuff through
a raffle they get for getting good grades,” Shante revealed.
And because Hip-Hop is so popular, the parlors also hold workshops and seminars
that help hopefuls avoid the pitfalls of the music industry.
Shante, who started in the music business at the age of 14 as a member of Marley
Marl’s legendary Juice Crew, quit the music business due to industry politics.
“They learn about royalties and contracts; because who better to teach
them about royalties and recouping than me.," Shante said. " I could
have started a clothing line or a jewelry line, but I chose to do this because
it’s not about making money to me, it’s about making a difference."
