How'd you celebrate?
A warning about baseball caps, a huge crowd and free food truck ice cream markBun B Day in Houston
Team Trill showed up en masse on Tuesday at City Hall to celebrate Mayor Annise Parker's proclamation of Aug. 30th as Bun B Day in Houston. The council chamber was packed, and the audience shuffled as attendees continued to arrive to be a part of the rapper's big day.
Concerned about fire code and a sense of propriety, a Houston Police Department officer repeatedly told the crowd to get away from the door — and to doff their baseball caps.
One couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for the other two recipients of name day honors Tuesday — Delvin Dennis, a TxDOT engineer (Tuesday was the last day of his 30-year tenure) and Christina Changala, a retired educator — whose celebrations may have been overshadowed by the rapper's entourage. But, as Mayor Parker said, "If you look at the honorees, it truly says something ... about the diversity of the city of Houston."
Houston City Council members applauded Bun B for acting as a role model and actively breaking down negative images of hip-hop culture.
"I have to introduce [this recipient] by two names," Parker said when she got to Bun B. She credited Bernard Freeman — better known as Bun B, half of the rap duo UGK — with introducing southern rap into the mainstream, and commended him for his "deep desire to improve the lives of Houstonians in need."
Although Bun B was born in Port Arthur, the Parker said she considers him "our hometown star." From co-lecturing Religious Studies 331 at Rice, to raising awareness about HIV/AIDS and combating hunger, Bun B has been omnipresent in the community — and he remains committed.
"There is a need for more hands-on attention to the children of Houston," he said. "I am available 24/7/365 for the children of Houston ... They need to be accounted for, looked after, and know that they're loved and cared about." Bun B called upon all Houstonians to do their part.
Houston City Council members applauded Bun B for acting as a role model and actively breaking down negative images of hip-hop culture, and they encouraged him to continue his effort.
"This is a very profound moment in my life, an overwhelming moment because of what it represents to me as a person," Bun B said of the honor.
Bun B's hometown of Port Arthur has never given him a day of honor. The rapper tweeted earlier Tuesday, "It's not my birthday."
After abundant applause and a lengthy photo-op, and in an effort to dispel the throng, Council Member Ed Gonzalez announced that the food truck across the street was offering free ice cream in celebration of Bun B. The rapper cried, "Let's go get some ice cream!"