Comedian Chinedu (left) and rapper Slim Thug (right) teamed up with Checkers on July 13 to give back to Houston students headed back to school (Photo Credit: Regal Media Group/Todd A. Smith).
July 13 has become an unofficial holiday in Houston thanks to some of the city’s biggest hip-hop legends.
Because of 713 Day (a nod to Houston’s original area code), the fourth largest city in the United States seemingly has a nonstop party for over three weeks.
While Juneteenth and the Fourth of July commemorate the past, rapper Slim Thug, comedian Chinedu and the fast-food restaurant chain Checkers have made sure that 713 Day honors the future by giving back to the next generation of Houstonians.
And not even a rainstorm at Ken Pridgeon Stadium could dampen the cause or the festivities.
Storm clouds begin to gather at Checkers’ 713 Day event at Ken Pridgeon Stadium in Houston on July 13 (Photo Credit: Regal Media Group/Todd A. Smith)
At the 713 Day celebration, Houston children got to play with a purpose, enjoying outdoor games while getting free haircuts, free Checkers French fries and free school supplies for the 2025-26 academic year.
Young people received free haircuts at Checkers’ 713 Day event at Ken Pridgeon Stadium in Houston on July 13 (Photo Credit: Regal Media Group/Todd A. Smith)
When asked if he ever gets feedback from students and parents whom he has helped, Slim Thug said, “Man, I get that a lot. That’s what really is the main motivation to keep doing it even at this age.”
But for Slim Thug, motivating the community is not isolated to certain events.
The graduate of Eisenhower High School on Houston’s north side has built an enormous social media following by sharing positive, often faith-based messages that encourage his millions of fans every day.
People constantly come up to the rapper and tell him that they live by his words of wisdom, especially the three H’s: happiness, health and headed towards the right direction.
And via his partnership with Checkers, he hopes to help the next generation head in the right direction, not just this school year, but for the rest of their lives.
His collaboration with Checkers goes back a few years.
Slim Thug started giving back to the community through his Boss Life Foundation, later teaming up with the fast food restaurant chain to give away shoes and other necessities for those less fortunate.
And while many organizations give back to the community before the school year, the hip-hop legend is not opposed to extending his community service throughout the school year because he knows that the school year is long and the help that he provides is needed long-term.
A true testament to his fame and influence was the diversity of the crowd that the “Big Boss of the Nawf” drew for his meet-and-greet and autograph signing.
Countless people braved the elements, standing in line to meet the O.G. Boss Hogg Outlaw, from young to old, and from Black, White, to Hispanic, the love for the emcee was genuine.
Children who were not even born when “Still Tippin’” shook up the world, to adults possibly experiencing their own “Midlife Crisis,” all proudly threw up their H’s in pictures with Big Slim, a sign of his popularity in his hometown.
Another Houston legend on hand for the event was comedian Chinedu, whose social media posts about the “dangerous hoods” in Houston, like Cinco Ranch and The Woodlands, often go viral.
The veteran comedian is also no stranger to giving back to the community, something that is in his DNA thanks to his late father, who passed away in June 2024.
He has a nonprofit organization that teaches financial literacy, helps people with drug and alcohol dependency and helps children in need.
And thanks to efforts of Houston icons like him and Slim Thug, the children in the 713 will need a little less going into the 2025-25 school year.
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