New York Kids Rap for Dogs |
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May 27, 2008
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©Erie County SPCA |
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Kids from TLC posed with their awards from the Buffalo School Board recognizing their anti-dogfighting rap. |
By Ariana Huemer
Of the many entrants in The HSUS's 2008 Hip Hop for Hounds contest, one of the most special came from Buffalo, New York, courtesy of a group of middle schoolers from Dr. Martin Luther King Multicultural Institute.
Sending a Musical Message
When the ten enterprising youngsters, participants in the SPCA Serving Erie County's Teaching Love and Compassion (TLC) program, heard about the Hip Hop for Hounds contest, they quickly went to work. The rap they created, "Unite," was so impressive that they were invited to perform it at a meeting of the Erie County legislators, in front of the Buffalo School Board and on the pet-lovers website, zootoo.com.
"Unite" talks about the terrors of dogfighting from a dog's perspective, pleading,
Playful Plato he likes to run
Treat me nice without a gun
No bleeding and teasing
Just make it fun, we can all work as one.
Do it right and it all can be done.
Plato the faithful he ain’t so hateful
If you meet him you just might think so.
The song sends a message of compassion and respect for others that everyone—kids and adults—can take to heart.
As an extra benefit, writing their rap song taught the students skills in teamwork, conflict resolution and effective communication. TLC director Sandra Jeffers noted, "Just entering the Hip Hop for Hounds Contest was a character building lesson in itself."
In The Kids' Own Words
The young rappers had plenty to say about their experience with the Hip Hop for Hounds contest and dogfighting in general. Both Brenddon McCants and Marquin Almo cited their love for their dogs as their inspirations for writing the lyrics to "Unite."
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| ©Erie County SPCA |
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| The TLC group performed their award-winning rap for Buffalo School Board members. |
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Dejar Taylor put it plainly when he said that dogs "shouldn't be pushed to hurt each other." Fellow rapper Rakwon White echoed these sentiments, saying, "I feel sad and mad about people putting dog's lives on the line and killing them."
When asked her opinion of pitbulls, Adriana Johnson told us that of the ones she has met, "they don't fight, and they're very nice." Seana McCants concurred: "Mostly all of the dogs I had were pit bulls. I think they are the most loving animals ever."
Finally, Oshinique Tatum showed the positive impact of humane education when she recounted, "I have thought about dogfighting, because I was laughing [about dogfighting], and my mom told me to put myself in a dog's place. And it hurts because now I know it's not right."
This insightful, compassionate group of kids made Hip Hop for Hounds more than just a musical exercise. In working together, using art and music as a vehicle for social change, they provided an inspiration for anyone looking to improve the lot of people and animals in our communities.
Hear "Unite" now [MP3].
Watch the kids from TLC perform their rap!
Ariana Huemer is cruelty case manager for The Humane Society of the United States.
Related Links
Dogfighting Fact Sheet
Quest Academy Animal Service Learning Group
Hip Hop Artist "Dagha" Simmons Collected Hip Hop for Hounds Award from The HSUS and Met Darryl "DMC" McDaniels
Hip Hop for Hounds Has A Winner!
Hip Hop for Hounds Contest: Rap for Darryl "DMC" McDaniels and Win $1,000
