Polo G Launches AAU Basketball Team In Chicago To Keep Youth Out Of Trouble

BY Erika Marie 4.6K Views
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Polo G
The rapper said he always had dreams of being a positive influence on his community.

There are many hip hop artists who return to the communities that helped raise them in order to give back to the next generation. Rappers have provided, food, shelter, and other resources for the less privileged, and Polo G wanted to make sure that kids in Chicago had the opportunity to participate in activities that keep them out of trouble.

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In a recent Instagram post, the 20-year-old shared that when he visited his old elementary school earlier this year, he learned that the kids didn't have an AAU Team—an Amateur Athletes Union. Established in 1888, AAU is a non-profit, volunteer program that provides various sports programs for the youth. Polo G returned to his former school with a surprise for them: he created a team to hopefully keep them focused, disciplined, and off the streets.

"A few days ago was the try outs fa my official Aau Team," the rapper wrote in the caption of a video he shared on social media. "During the school year I visited my neighborhood elementary school & the kids told me they ain’t have a Aau team Dat f*cked me up a lil bit cuz ik comin up we at least had that opportunity & if these kids ain’t in no program or involved in some type of sport it ain’t sh*t but trouble out there to find them...So I kept my promise with the help of management & some ppl within my community and we put together 'The Chicago Grizzlies'🐻🖤for the youth this a pretty big/heart warming accomplishment to me Cuz I always wanted to b the one to grow up & make some type of difference💯💯."

Check out clips from the newly formed Chicago Grizzlies and listen to Polo G talk about wanting to make a positive impact on his community below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming the Co-Head of Original Content. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, and Amy Luciani—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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