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Youngsters
of all ages are being offered free DJ workshops as part of
Anim8 Stockland Greens' young people's summer programme. The
project sees industry professionals from Punch Records teach
a handful of young aspiring MCers how to 'create beats' and
'write a lyric' - in preparation to create their very own
garage track with Punch Records.
Highcroft
Social and Sports centre, opposite Josiah Mason College provides
the venue to the 3 hour workshops held every Monday and Tuesday.
Dakheem
Simms, 15 from Erdington found out about the course from his
rapper uncle who works at Punch Records, 'MadFlow' - who suggested
he'd give it a go.
JJ:
What are these workshops about then??
DS:
This is about teaching young people how to beat box, make
music and stuff for the community."
JJ:
What is everyone doing today in this studio and what's in
it for you?
DS:
Well, not everyone is here today as they're on holiday but
today is a recording day when people get to record their demos.
I MC and I rap - I do both. I want people to hear and listen
to my words, it's the beat as well and the music because that
entertains. I've got all my lyrics ready and then Chris, over
there (points to Chris) puts it over some 'bad beats'!
JJ:
Bad Beats?!?!
DS:
Well bad as in good! You get me?
JJ:
Yep, I think so? How long would it take to write a track then?
DS:
I don't know - I make my lyrics quick, it all depends how
long they are. I don't make my lyrics very long, they're in
my head and I'm very quick. If I don't like it later then
I get rid of it later. I came here with my lyrics all ready
made - well I wrote one lyric but that didn't take very long.
JJ:
What do you mean by a 'lyric'? A word? A chorus?
DS:
A 'lyric' is like one verse, yep Â… one verse. It takes
about five minutes to write one lyric.
JJ:
OK, cool! Would you do something like this again?
DS:
Yeah, as I found out about this from my uncle I didn't know
it existed before, but yeah I would do it again. There are
a lot of activities going on, even during school time, I perform
at school - I went to this one because it's close. I'm always
writing lyrics or listening to music. The best thing for me
has been the opportunity to make whole songs - I've really
enjoyed it.
JJ:
Would you recommend it to someone else?
DS:
Yes, definitly because it gives young people the opportunity
to express themselves with their lyrics and could give you
the break to make it big.
Dakheems
musical idols are people like 2Pac, Dizzy Rascal and Whiley
- and Anim8's project manager, Elise Shaw and her team are
giving young people the opportunity to create lyrics and beats
similar to their idols in their local community.
"We
teamed up and collaborated with large arts organisations such
as Sound Futures, Josiah Mason Youth Music and Punch Records
and it took a couple of months to set it all up with initial
meetings where we'd figure out the delivery of the programme
and what people will get out of it in the end and also recruiting
the young people to join in the programme.
"We're
going to be doing a lot more arts activities soon from Drama
workshops to a Bollywood video project - in which young people
will write, produce, film, act and edit a full Bollywood film
for Black History month, that'll be premiered at Star City.
"These
courses are designed to encourage those participants to enter
into further education or employment in the creative industries."
The
up-and-coming DJs will hear their own tracks in full glory
- with lyrics and beats that they have written and produced
as they will get a CD full of their tunes to play to family
and friends and the end.
The
ten aspiring performers all seemed to have a great time and
a really relaxed environment, it was very 'youth' focused
with the tutors being on the same level and socialising with
the participants which created a very warm and focused atmosphere
within the room - where everyone was willing to get involved
and have a go.
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