Nas is a legendary rapper, an outspoken lyricist, and a single father — all of which influenced his latest act of kindness.
The musician recently came across the story of Stanley Young, an unemployed single father of eight kids whose home caught on fire last week. The tragic incident forced him and his family to seek shelter at a local hotel in Washington D.C. as he struggles to find a permanent home large enough for his family.
The mother of all of his children passed away last year.
Nas came across the report and was immediately touched, so used his celebrity and fame to share the story through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in effort to rally donations from fans willing to help the family.
The rapper launched a campaign on the fundraising site Crowdtilt and has already received over 2,100 donations and raised more than $62,000, surpassing his target goal of $50,000.
On the campaign’s description field, Nas wrote:
I am also a single father, and we don’t get enough credit in this country. I’m committed to helping Stanley and his eight (yes 8!) kids,” Nas wrote on the fundraising site, Crowd It. “Moreover, I believe and hope that we should all, as a community, come together to help our fellow American men and women when they need us in desperate situations like this. See if you can’t find a few dollars to help the Youngs get back on their feet with me. We need to raise enough to extend their stay, and maybe even afford a down payment on a new house or something.
Nas contributed $5,000 to the campaign himself. There are six days left and the rapper has been spreading awareness through constant tweets and posts to his various other social media accounts.
He wrote, “Never done something like this, but I have faith that our American community can pull together a miracle for this strong family who needs our help right now.”
Follow Lilly Workneh on Twitter @Lilly_Works