AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin rapper is using hip-hop culture to help honor Negro League legends. 

What You Need To Know

  • Kydd Jones is partnering with the Round Rock Express to pay homage to the Austin Black Senators

  • The team released a new clothing line and jerseys and part of the proceeds going to the Willie Wells Foundation and Round Rock Black History Organization

  • The Texas Negro League's baseball club played mostly during the 20s and 30s

  • The roster included Cooperstown greats like Smokey Joe Williams, Satchel Paige and Austin local Willie Wells

Kydd Jones is partnering with the Round Rock Express to pay homage to the Austin Black Senators. The Texas Negro League's baseball club played mostly during the 20s and 30s. The roster included Cooperstown greats like Smokey Joe Williams, Satchel Paige and Austin local Willie Wells.

“I tell stories and paint pictures of my community through my words and musical abilities,” Jones says. “I was blown away they had a baseball team here in Austin and the story hadn’t been really revealed yet. It kind of had been hiding in plain sight.”

Wells moved the game forward after creating the baseball helmet and mentoring a young Jackie Robinson. He never made it to the big leagues, but had a career batting average around .400.

“There’s not that many highlights for Black people coming up in Austin,” Jones says. “They were the first baseball team here in Austin and to have someone like Willie Wells who helped train Jackie Robinson.”

“It’s history that’s kinda been swept under the rug for a long time. I’m glad Major League Baseball and baseball in general is starting to recognize,” said Express Outfielder Delino DeShields Jr. 

Jones collaborated with the Express to honor Wells. The team released a new clothing line and jerseys with part of the proceeds going to the Willie Wells Foundation and Round Rock Black History Organization. Jones and the players also know the importance of keeping these stories alive.

“It’s something I take a lot of pride in being one of two African American players on the team,” said DeShieds Jr. “They were a lot of players that didn’t get the chance to play in the major leagues. There’s something about Negro Leagues that’s just special.”

“We gotta champion our heroes that come to our place so that you never know we could be sparking inspiration for another kid to be the next Willie Wells,” Jones says.