R&B Star Kem Draws 50,000 To Concert To Benefit Detroit Homeless

Singing Star Who Once Lived On Streets Draws Thousands To Outdoor Concert For Homeless
LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 13: Singer KEM performs onstage during the ninth annual Ford Hoodie Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center August 13, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Hoodie Awards)
LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 13: Singer KEM performs onstage during the ninth annual Ford Hoodie Awards at the Mandalay Bay Events Center August 13, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Hoodie Awards)

DETROIT -- As R&B artist Kem played a concert a few blocks away at Cass Park, homeless men and women lined the fence outside the Detroit Rescue Mission, waiting to be let in for their daily dinner.

It's a situation musician Kem knows well. The Nashville native grew up in Detroit. Since 2001 he's produced three gold records, but before he cleaned up and got his break in show business, he lived homeless and drug addicted on the streets and in the shelters of Detroit.

It's a part of his life he is not afraid to share -- he speaks about it frequently in interviews -- and the impetus for his

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