Warren G has been honored in his hometown of Long Beach as the Mayor proclaims August 1st through the 6th as Warren G week. The Rapper/Producer is releasing his New album, In The Mid-Nite Hour, September 27th on Hawino/Lighteryear/Wea Records.
Through years of continued excellence, Warren G has attained iconic status in the world of Hip-Hop. With a best-selling platinum and gold certified catalog boasting such classics songs as “Regulate,” “This DJ” and “I Want It All” Warren has brought his laid back style of music to audiences around the world, but also a slice of life from his beloved hometown of Eastside Long Beach.
As if bringing global attention to the city weren’t enough, Warren has also actively participated in the development of area and its residents in a variety of ways including the time he helped Lenscrafters, Shell Oil and City Councilmember Laura Richardson raise enough money to buy 500 pairs of eyeglasses for children to use for reading. Or the annual G Christmas shopping spree in a rented U-Haul where he drops his own cash on toys to give to kids at the California Recreation Center. Just last week the guy received an award from Project Coordinator Leonard Adams for time and money donated to the Midnight Basketball League, which operates as an alternative to the trouble that can be found outside on the streets.
Those efforts over the years are about to be officially recognized on August 1-6 when Long Beach Mayor Beverly O’Neall proclaims that time period, “Warren G Week.” The seven days also coincide with the opening of G’s latest labor of love: the Willie McGinest Freedom School on August 1. Freedom School is a Summer enrichment program that was originated in the Civil Rights Era year 1964 in order to teach African-Americans to read and write so they could vote. It evolved into an educational improvement curriculum that stresses reading to help build a desire to learn that young people carry with them into the regular Fall school year.
The Willie McGinest Freedom School program will be the debut of this educational course in Long Beach. City native, Super Bowl Champion New England Patriot Linebacker McGinest, put up the seed money to start the school. A mutual childhood friend then introduced Warren to the Pastor O. Leon Wood, Jr., and that’s how the week’s benefit concert came about to raise funds to continue this valuable enrichment program. (Robert Robinson, senior outreach coordinator for City of Long Beach, organized many of the week’s other activities.)
“The City of Long Beach owes Warren G a great amount of love and gratitude for his continued demonstration of care and concern for our youth,” states Pastor Wood. “He shows his love through the giving of his time and resources. He is always there when needed.”
“I’m not just proud of Warren as his manager I’m proud of Warren as his uncle,” adds Wron G. “He has stayed true to Long Beach and helped others to move to the next level in life. I thank the City of Long Beach for recognizing his humanitarian activities.”
The full schedule of Warren G Week events include:
August 1, at 8:30 a.m.: Willie McGinest Freedom School will begin with a proclamation of Warren G Week from Mayor Beverly O’Neall at the Sutter Academy, 5075 Daisy, in North Long Beach.
August 2: TBA
August 3, at 2:00-4:00 p.m.: Warren G will speak to Boy’s and Girl’s Club, Martin Luther King Park 1950 Lemon Ave, Long Beach
August 4, at 10 p.m.-12 a.m.: Coach and play in Midnight Basketball League at California Recreation Center. Game begins at 12 a.m. midnight.
August 5, from 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.: Warren G Day at the Queen Mary, Long Beach Harbor with tour of ship for Long Beach residents. Meet and Greet by Warren.
August 6, at 2:00 p.m.: Warren G concert for the kids of Long Beach on the lawn in front of Hughes Hanger at Queen Mary.
August 6, at 8:00 p.m.: Warren G performs a benefit concert also on the lawn in front of Hughes Hanger at the Queen Mary. He will give new, upcoming Long Beach acts the opportunity to open for him. Special friends will drop by. Proceeds go to the Willie McGinest Freedom School.
A few days after these celebrations, Warren will begin the promotion that will announce the September 27 release of his latest album, called In The Mid-Nite Hour on Hawino/Lightyear/WEA Records. Once again self-produced, the CD will feature that patented G-Funk grown a bit in songs like “
For those Interested, Donations for the Willie McGinest Freedom School may be sent to:
Willie McGinest Freedom School
c/o Pastor O. Leon Wood, Jr.,
5239 Atlantic Avenue
Long Beach, California 90805
Congratulations to Warren G for this MAJOR accomplishment!!
