WOODLAND, CA - Countless times, Vallejo police Cpl. Steve Darden has had to tell families their children were arrested, stabbed or shot.Now he’s trying to reach youth before it’s too late - with lyrics instead of lectures.

The 39-year-old Darden is releasing his debut hip-hop CD next month titled “It’s Ruff Out Here” that features him rapping about Vallejo street life. “I wanted to be able to get a message across, that there is nothing wrong with being legit,” said Darden of Vacaville. “There is a lot of stigma that tells young people they can’t listen to rap or dress a certain way without being involved in illegal activities.”

Most of the album’s tracks deal with things Darden sees every day: kids crying when their parents are arrested, or teens falling into trouble with drugs and violence.

“My message on the CD is about respecting yourself, not selling yourself short, making plans for your life and achieving those goals,” Darden said. “But it also just has a good beat.”

The album has been a lifelong dream for Darden, who says it couldn’t have happened without people from all parts of the community supporting him.

Team Chevrolet owner Kenny Ross was Darden’s primary sponsor, enabling him to produce the album independently in a private studio.

“He is really going out of his way to try to make a difference,” Ross said.

With a background in opera and contemporary singing, this is Weiser’s first hip-hop project. “It is great he’s producing rap with such a positive message,” Weiser said.

“A lot of rappers make music with catchy lyrics but are not actually living the lifestyle they rap about,” Martin said. “Steve’s message is real and he raps about how he lives every day.”

Source:
The Daily Democrat