A Bronx artist who dropped his first mixtape last year is now donating his profits to the Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club.
F1RST T1ME, 29, didn't want to be the only one who benefited from his success. The Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club in Soundview has served as his community when he needed it as a young boy.
"My mother left when I was 8 and my dad needed a babysitter but couldn't afford one, so he took us to Kips Bay," says F1RST T1ME.
On Friday he presented the organization with a check for $8,200. He asked the center to put it aside for educational services.
Program director Alberto Rodriguez says F1RST T1ME's success is exemplary of what the program stands for.
"The process works. There was some exposure in F1RST T1ME's life in this program at one time or another, that made him realize his full potential, which is our mission, and he came back, and gave back," says Rodriguez.
The donation will support programs like culinary lessons and digital arts. It will also help pay for supplies and resources.
F1RST T1ME plans to drop a second mixtape soon.