Rapper Trae tha Truth supports Texas residents after disastrous storm left many without power for a week

It’s been almost two weeks since a massive storm hit Houston, Texas, and surrounding areas, leaving about 98% of its residents and businesses without power. Most of those hardest hit were poor, black and brown people who say no one came to help them.

That is except for one of their own, rapper and philanthropist Trae tha Truth.

Images that began pouring in on May 16 show homes and cars peeking out from under torn trees that fell on them during the derecho, the name for the widespread, long-lasting wind storm associated with a band of downpours or fast-moving thunderstorms.

According to the Associated Press, pregnant mothers, elderly people, children and many others dodged broken glass as they flew through pouring rain accompanied by hurricane-force winds that spanned 5 to 8 miles and reached up to ‘at 100 mph.

And as local, state and federal governments tried to figure out how to move funds and pass emergency relief legislation, recording artist “Inkredible” sprung into action.

On the day of the storm, he took to Instagram to show his 2.2 million followers (including celebrities from around the world with resources) how devastating the storm was for native Houstonians.

He captioned the silent video: “Time 2, get active…Downtown just got hit with 80 mph winds and rain.” » Then, without hesitation, he gathered his team, aka The Relief Gang, put on his emergency gear and gloves, grabbed his chainsaws, looking to save the day.

In a separate video, he told people in need to tag him or send him a private message and he would try to help them.

The day after the storm, Trae posted a meme that read: “We were out until 2 a.m. helping people last night…TODAY If your home or area is damaged by trees and debris and need help, send your number and addresses to @reliefgang and us. I will help you,” adding in the caption, “Dm if you or the areas around are stuck under trees and debris…We are helping you again today #DM and address.”

From Cypress to Pasedena, Trae’s team was taking action. But it wasn’t just Trae’s crew, he showed up and helped do the heavy lifting and clean up. His iconic bald head and beard could be seen in countless videos simply helping out – bearing the costs and listening to the countless stories of those who have felt excluded and abandoned by elected officials…including their president.

Trae also devoted his energy to providing food to those in need, soliciting support from restaurants that would allow him to purchase their food to deliver to seniors, children and families. Without electricity, one mother said she had to sacrifice food to feed her little ones, even though she was pregnant herself.

“No one came here. We haven’t had electricity since the 16th. Everything in the refrigerator is in poor condition. I made sacrifices to feed my children before feeding myself, knowing that I was already expecting,” the mother said.

Video footage shows Trae handing out food to adults and children and delivering pizzas to a daycare housing elderly people who had been without food or water for a day or two.

One man said: “He always helps the community whenever there is a disaster or anything. He is the first here.

Some people have criticized the artist and community leader for posting his good works on his social media, but he says he does it to inform the public about what’s really happening in the city.

“For those on the outside and those with opinions from their homes and comfy couches… This is the harsh reality of what remains unseen, that’s why we show what’s really happening to get even more help people in the areas under review, if not people will act like it’s not a big deal or a serious problem… I salute everyone and every team trying to break up… We are a @reliefgang “, he wrote.

Others took to social media to celebrate the fact that their favorite superhero doesn’t wear tights and isn’t from Marvel or DC Comics — he’s from Houston.

“A true Houston superhero!!” one person wrote. Another comment read: “Brother, you are truly the savior of the people. Love all day long.

“Trea you and your team always do for people and causes and keep praying for you all and the work you do, God is good,” a third comment read.

The “Here I Go” rapper has always demonstrated his commitment to community service. In 2021, Trae received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden, a testament to his impactful efforts.

Trae is often on the front lines during critical times such as Hurricane Harvey and Winter Storm Uri. His dedication continued in 2022 when he helped those affected by Hurricane Ian on the coast of Florida, spending five days as part of a rescue and recovery team and reportedly helping more than 300 people, according to KHOU.

In 2020, Trae actively participated in the Black Lives Matter protests and provided support to the victims of the Astroworld tragedy.

His altruism also extends to personal gestures. In November 2023, he and BEL Furniture fully furnished a house for a single mother and her three daughters who previously slept and sat on the floor.

This collaboration with BEL Furniture is not one-off; earlier that year, they helped an elderly Alabama woman, Martha Menefield, 82, who had been arrested for an unpaid $77 trash bill.

Trae’s philanthropy also focuses on supporting children with special needs.

When an 11-year-old boy with special needs was abandoned and school staff did nothing, Trae took the matter to heart. As the father of a child with special needs, he contacted the boy’s grandmother and learned that the incident had deeply affected the boy emotionally.

Trae helped cheer him up by taking the boy shopping and eating ice cream at his Howdy Homemade ice cream shop in Katy, Texas, a business that empowers people with special needs by employing them.

Truly a true local hero.