'The Wire' Star Tray Chaney Raps a Message to Black Fathers

Actor Trey Chaney, who’s best known as Malik “Poot” Carr from HBO’s hit series “The Wire,” has a message for Black fathers: Get it together.

“I’d rather die than be labeled as ‘the guy’ who wasn’t around,’” he raps in a new music video released today addressing the issue of absent fathers in the Black community.

The video was directed by Black and Married with Kids creator Lamar Tyler and produced by Don Cox of the Fire Drop Music Group.

The video stars Trey’s five year old son and his father. Chaney began performing at the age of four and landed his career-boosting roll on “The Wire” right after graduating high school. In 2010 Chaney penned the inspirational autobiography “The Truth You Can’t BeTRAY” and announced his plans to simultaneously pursue his musical interests.

“We gotta step up, we can’t leave our kids alone,” raps Chaney. “I didn’t say it would be easy, but we gotta be strong.”

Over 24 million children, live apart from their biological fathers in America, according to 2009 U.S. Census Bureau data — that’s 1 in 3 children. As heartbreaking as those numbers are, these will shock you more: Nearly 64 percent of Black children live in father-absent homes, says the National Fatherhood Initiative reports.

Kudos to Chaney for putting his lyrical talents and fame to good use. Let’s hope today’s Black fathers are listening.