The power of meth vs. the power of music
POLACCA-Jaynez, Yaiva and D.J. Kiss brought their anti-drug music message to Hopi Junior/Senior High School on Jan. 19 during an assembly in the auditorium.
They performed hip-hop, rap and rhythm and blues but made it clear that their message is for everyone-especially the youth-to stay away from drugs and alcohol.
Yaiva performed along with Jaynez as D.J. Kiss provided the background tunes.
Jaynez, who won a Grammy Award for Best Debut Artist in 2005, described how his involvement with gangs landed him in prison, but he also spoke about his many achievements.
Jaynez, who is Navajo, Cheyenne and Pueblo, said that "gangbanging" and using drugs was a way of life growing up in Los Angeles. He joined the military to escape the gangs.
Jaynez said after being in combat in many other countries that he believes that America is the best country on earth.
"We fight so that you have freedom of choice and freedom of expression," he said.
But Jaynez kept some of his gangbanging connections when he joined the military and was eventually influenced by meth.
Jaynez recounted how his friend Jose shot a man while he was present.
"Meth ruined this world. Meth is the worst. Jose was never Jose again after taking meth. Jose was different," he said.
Jaynez said he did not know Jose was planning to kill a man. Following the shooting, Jose ran away. When he eventually turned himself in, he accused Jaynez of the shooting. Jaynez was sentenced to eight years in prison.
His baby was born before he went to prison, and his wife left him even though she knew he was innocent and she wouldn't let him see the baby.
But while he was in prison, he found out who his true friends were.
"None of my supposed friends wrote me a letter. None of them sent me $10. The only ones who were there for me were my family," he said.
Jaynez did the best he could with his time in prison as he earned several college degrees.
"I love to learn. I don't feel like I'm living if I'm not learning," he said.
Since that time, he has been the background singer for several stars including Jessica Simpson and the late Luther Vandross. He has also become one of the few Native American deep-sea divers.
Jaynez said he lived on Second Mesa for two years and saw a lot of drugs, especially meth.
"I know how bad meth is. We can't stop meth. It tears you up and takes you over," he said. "You have to fight it. I've lost friends to meth and alcohol."
Jaynez told the audience that if they are going to inspire others they needed to live the good life and act like role models.
He stated Native Americans should be humble knowing they are no better then anybody else and that they should not judge people.
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