HR 958: Rich Kidz; cultural contributions to Bankhead and 404 Day; commend

House Resolution 958

By: Representatives Bell of the 75th, Berry of the 56th, Reese of the 140th, Schofield of the 63rd, Scott of the 76th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the Rich Kidz for their cultural contributions to Bankhead and 404 Day; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, the Rich Kidz, a pioneering hip-hop collective originating from the historic Bankhead community of Atlanta, Georgia, rose to prominence as cultural torchbearers for Atlanta’s Westside, and went on to redefine the sound, energy, and youth identity of Southern hip-hop during the 2010s; and

WHEREAS, the group—comprised of Jose Guapo, Shad da God (formerly Shad da Kid), Skooly, RK Kaelub, and Baby Charles, with performance and cultural representation by Big Man aka Flav for President—ushered in a new era of Atlanta music with their breakout anthems Wassup and My Partna Dem, which became city-wide street classics and earned national recognition; and

WHEREAS, Rich Kidz made a lasting impact through a series of influential singles and mixtape projects that re-shaped Atlanta’s hip-hop sound, by blending street authenticity with musical innovation, elevating Atlanta’s underground scene onto national platforms; and

WHEREAS, Rich Kidz was featured by major media outlets including New Yorker, The New York Times, XXL Magazine, The Source, Complex, and Hot 107.9, as well as participated in BET Hip-Hop Awards cyphers, concerts, and showcases, while inspiring a generation of Atlanta creatives; and

WHEREAS, RK Kaelub and Skooly, performing as a duo, took the Rich Kidz brand to new heights; Pitchfork magazine listed the song “My Life” as “one of the best singles of 2010”; and

WHEREAS, the group partnered with Columbia Records, America’s oldest record label, in 2012, and later releasing their global debut Y.A.R.S.; and

WHEREAS, individual members of Rich Kidz have each contributed to the group’s legacy through solo ventures; and

WHEREAS, Skooly went on to sign with 2 Chainz’s T.R.U. (The Real University) label, releasing acclaimed solo work including “Blacc John Gotti,” “Trench Gotti,” “Don’t You Ever Forget Me” series, and “Nobody Likes Me,” while being widely recognized as one of Atlanta’s most influential melodic artists; and

WHEREAS, Jose Guapo became a leader in the independent rap hustle, dropping “Cash Talk” mixtape series, “Jose’s World,” and his viral single “Run It Up” featuring Takeoff and YFN Lucci, while collaborating with Metro Boomin, Rich Homie Quan, and others; and

WHEREAS, Shad da God contributed to the Grand Hustle movement, releasing solo projects including “Rise and Hustle,” “2000 and God,” and “God Gang,” earning a respected presence in the Atlanta rap elite; and

WHEREAS, RK Kaelub and Baby Charles remained staples in the scene, contributing to foundational group projects and representing the essence of Bankhead’s talent and drive; and

WHEREAS, Big Man aka Flav for President played a vital role in the group’s live performance energy and cultural outreach, helping to solidify Rich Kidz’s presence in the streets and on stages alike; and

WHEREAS, the collective’s influence on fashion, slang, lifestyle, and performance contributed to the blueprint of Atlanta’s modern youth culture, laying the groundwork for future superstars and helping solidify Bankhead as a birthplace of talent, resilience, and originality; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting on 404 Day—a celebration of Atlanta’s creativity, unity, and global cultural influence—to uplift Rich Kidz for their contributions to music, youth empowerment, and the legacy of Bankhead and Atlanta’s Westside.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this honor the full collective of Rich Kidz—Jose Guapo, Shad da God, Skooly, RK Kaelub, Baby Charles, and Big Man aka Flav for President—as part of the official 404 Day Celebration, in recognition of their extraordinary impact on Atlanta’s music legacy, their trailblazing spirit, and their lasting cultural contributions. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Rich Kidz.