Hip hop has been in a giving mood lately and DJ Khaled is the
latest to carry the charity torch. Last Friday (Sept. 20), Khaled and his We
the Best Music label teamed with Florida "s Hot 99 Jamz to surprise Miami Norland
High School students with a $10,000 check benefiting the school "s music and
band program.
"I came to motivate the kids and let them know it "s a beautiful day out
there," he told MTV News. "The more blessings you give the more blessings
you get back."
The Lousiana-born DJ/producer was treated to band performances of his "All
I Do Is Win," and "No New Friends" singles and was happy to motivate.
"The message is love," Khaled said. "It "s important to recognize
where you come from. Not only that, but to inspire them. I want them to see
me face to face, take pictures, vibe and just communicate with each other because
this is where I live. The message is I "m just like them."
School principal Reginald Lee praised the effort, explaining the importance
of sports and music programs. "They need something to feel good about,
and this will definitely do it," Lee said. "That "s a great donation
they gave to the band program and we definitely need those funds. We have all
these extracurricular activities kids can be a part of — drama, music
and chorus — and then, you know, with budget cuts, this helps us. Those
$10,000 are going directly to the band program so we can entice more of our
kids."
Norland is one of the many Florida high schools that has increased graduation
rates, which jumped from 65 to 82.5 percent in 2011.
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