Spoon performs a song that he wrote back in 2007, the lyrics encourage kids to stay away from drugs and violence.
Crimestoppers Chairman Warren Selby and performer Sonny Spoon piece together final details before their first event.
Local rapper and performer Sonny Spoon, 36, is working with Crimestoppers and other agencies to host the "Stop The Violence Tour" that kicks off on June 18.
The tour will take place at different locations in Macon for seven weeks, spending two days at each site, said Warren Selby,
Macon Regional Crimestoppers Chairman.
Selby says this is the first time they have kicked off a tour and hopes this effort will reduce violence. He calls it a street-level approach.
"We have had several crimes in our community that we think are directly related to kids being out of school, not having enough to do," said Selby.
Spoon says he was released from prison last year on drug and weapon charges, after serving 6 years. He says he hopes to use his name recognition, talent and the challenges he faced to inspire kids in the community to make the right choices in life.
"I know I can reach them, because I understand them, I know what they are going through," said Spoon.
The Macon native says he got his first big break at 17 with the song "Keep It On The G-P." The artist says he continued on to perform with well-known rappers like T.I., on the song "How We Ride" and Young Jeezy on the track "The Game."
Some may also recall Spoon's performance for the Atlanta Falcons with his song, "The Dirty Bird."
Spoon says he never did drugs but sold them because he was tempted by the money. He says he never wanted others to follow the same path and hopes sharing his story will deter them.
"I was well-plugged in the hip-hip community and then my career was derailed because of some choices that I made," said Spoon.
Spoon says Blue Sky productions, who partners with Crimestoppers, reached out to him while he was incarcerated. Since then, he says he's done some Public Service announcements against violence.
The first "Stop The Violence Tour" event happens at Memorial Gym in South Macon on June 18 where a job fair, education and health information forum will take place, said Selby. That begins at 5 p.m. and wraps up at 8 p.m.
Spoon says The Georgia Department Of Labor and Workforce Development will also be at the fair.
The peace rally, that includes entertainment and a free cookout will be held the following day, on June 19 at Memorial Gym between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., said Spoon. There will also be a 'Rhyme Against Crime' contest, an opportunity for kids to show off their talent on a stage. After the seven week tour, Spoon says a winner will be selected.
All music will be screened for appropriate lyrical content beforehand, said Spoon.
The two-day events will have the same format and time frame at each location scheduled throughout the summer, said Selby.
The next tour date is scheduled for June 25 and June 26 at the Rosa Jackson Center in East Macon.
Other tour locations are TBA.
For more information or if you would like to perform at the event contact Sonny Spoon at 478-283-2219.
A city-wide peace rally is scheduled for August 7 at Luther Williams field between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.
To help out with that effort contact Pamela Lightsey at 478-731-1824.