'R.J. Did It!' Local doctor, students launch music video for new book release
Baton Rouge physician Rani Whitfield, M.D, and Southern University Lab students will celebrate their musical collaboration this week with a video launch and book release of 'R.J. Did It!'
Baton Rouge physician Rani Whitfield, M.D, and Southern University Lab students will celebrate their musical collaboration this week with a video launch and book release of R.J. Did It!—a new children’s book written by Whitfield.
Whitfield, a family medicine practitioner, has used hip hop music and motivational speaking to impact health and social issues for more than two decades, but he is breaking new ground as a children’s book author. R.J. Did It! is a heartwarming exploration of the parenting journey, spotlighting the milestones achieved by a spirited young son, R.J. Through engaging rhymes, it captures R.J.'s development as he acquires essential life skills.
This touching narrative not only commemorates R.J.'s accomplishments but also paints a vivid portrait of the enduring family bond, making it a must-read for families everywhere. “I'm hoping that some kid in Nebraska who doesn’t know R.J. will get a hold of this book and see both a cool kid and book and will be inspired by some of the things covered in here,” Whitfield said. “First, I want to instill a love for reading and then encourage responsibility – helping around the home – and some health initiatives like dental hygiene and handwashing. These are important steps of the development for young people.”
Whitfield finished the book, wrote a song, and began working on a music video with the help of the Southern Lab Media Team. The team is a teacher-guided extracurricular activity that extenuates the positives of the school and offers opportunities for students to learn and gain a social media presence.
The R.J. Did It! video was shot at Whitfield’s home and on the lab school campus where it features students and teachers interacting with Whitfield as he raps about the book and its message. The video will be played during its official release Wednesday, January 17 at the school and the two classes who participated in the video will celebrate afterwards with a pizza party.
Events and appearances planned to highlight the book release include:
Breakfast and a Book: West Feliciana Parish Schools on January 22
Book Singing/Musical Performance: Louisiana State Museum with performance by Eric Whitfield, book editor and author’s brother, on February 17 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
LPB’s Play and Learn: Black History Month appearance in the month of February
Read Across America Week: Various locations during in March.