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Rap artist to be honored by friends and loved ones at block party

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  • Camille Doty •
  • Originally published May 19, 2011 at 7:06 p.m., updated May 19, 2011 at 10 p.m.

  • IF YOU GO:The block party

    WHEN: 3-11 p.m. Saturday

    WHERE: Drop Top EMG studio - 1401 E. Juan Linn St.

    COST: $5

    PERFORMERS: Rappers Fresh, Tank C, Lil T, G Simms, All Star and others will give live performances

    ...
  • SHOW ALL »

    • IF YOU GO:The block party

    WHEN: 3-11 p.m. Saturday

    WHERE: Drop Top EMG studio - 1401 E. Juan Linn St.

    COST: $5

    PERFORMERS: Rappers Fresh, Tank C, Lil T, G Simms, All Star and others will give live performances

    FOR MORE INFO: Call 361-433-2153

Henry Lee Harvey was an entrepreneur, veteran and giver. Since 2005, he has hosted a block party to showcase local hip-hop talent.

Now, the community will rally together to have its first "crunk" party since his untimely death in July. He died of a second heart attack at the age of 41.

Promoters anticipate attendance to be close to 300 people. The eight-hour celebration has live performances, a mini-movie honoring Harvey and music from DJ DTM.

"We're keeping the dream going because this is his dream. We're trying to fulfill it," said Joshua L. Simmons.

Simmons and Harvey were first cousins, but they were close like brothers.

Simmons, also known as JLS, was 15 years his junior, and recorded on Harvey's Drop Top Entertainment label.

The former jailer at the Victoria County Sheriff's Office saw his cousin's potential. "I've been rapping because Henry got me started. I didn't realize I could rap at first," said 26-year-old Simmons.

He also said they free-styled together in the recording studio. The Victoria College business student said his cousin was a role model to his family and neighborhood.

On Saturday, Simmons, whose stage name is Fresh, will perform a song from his CD called "God Show Me the Way." He wrote the song because he needed direction in his life in January. The hip-hop performer said the Bible and Harvey showed him the right way to go.

Daryl Bland said Harvey always kept his doors open to his underprivileged neighborhood.

"He would give you anything you need, out of his heart, without asking questions," said Bland, the music producer.

Bland and Harvey had a professional and personal relationship when the record label formed 15 years ago.

Setting up this event without the former Army veteran has been a challenge. To continue his spirit of giving, canned goods will be collected to help the needy.

His loved ones said they want to continue his legacy, "The only reason we're doing this is to honor Henry," Simmons said.




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