MEMPHIS, Tenn — Homicide numbers in the Mid-South are the highest they have ever been. However, Memphis Artists United is hoping to turn that around.
It starts with music, but the goal of MAU is bigger than a record label.
“When you wake up in the morning, you see violence on TV all the time,” MAU’s Kavaunjay Braden said. “We’re just trying to show there is some positivity in the city.”
Braden is a radio host and works alongside educator and artist Ty Boyland and musician Al Kapone.
“It’s going to take everybody around the table to really make an impact,” Kapone said.
They’re working hard to change the city's negative narrative as crime continues to rise.
“It’s having a great effect, especially with starting conversations with young people,” MAU’s Ty Boyland said. “To be able to talk to young people about this and have them engaged and included in the conversation means a lot.”
The video specifically highlights how violence impacts everybody.
“One of my sons, his friend just got killed not too long ago 14 years old,” MAU’s Izzy Moore said. “Young guy made the wrong decision. Got in a stolen car, joyriding and end up having a wreck and got killed.”
They believe reaching people who want to take action is crucial.
“Maybe you have a representative from Whitehaven, representative from Frayser, representation from wherever and all sit down at the table at one time and discuss and talk about different solutions,” Braden said. “That’s what we’re about: being involved. We’re just using the music to get the message out.”
Memphis Artists United has plans to create a new music video that will empower women. They’ll have students from a high school helping to get their message across the city and hopefully build more community initiatives along the way.