Hip-hop isn’t just something we listen to. It’s something that encompasses our stories and moves us. Though hip-hop has evolved over the years, it still has the ability to provide us a chance to tell our stories. The Boys and Girls Club of America realizes that. The organization launched an after-school program called Lyricism 101. The program which is sponsored by Sprite and the Coca-Cola Company, has gone from being an after school program in one city to becoming a program in 22 cities across the country. The premise of the program is to give kids the opportunity to express themselves and build with one another.
The program hopes to build self esteem and provide a safe place for kids to express their ideas. Workshops like free styling will show students how to develop their own musical voice and perform. Ciphers will be held during the workshops and there’s also an opportunity for students to cipher against other boys and girls clubs. The Boys and Girls Club of America has recruited hip hop stars to help make the program a success.
Rapper J.Cole will teach a workshop alongside Missy Elliot. Cole sees the value in a program like this, saying “A lot of times you have kids with situations happening in their life, and they don’t have a place to talk about it. Writing rhymes can be a great release.” Missy Elliot credits lyricism with helping her to show the real her to her fans. “Lyricism was important for me from day one, because I felt in my heart if I gave them the real me and what moved me, I would be able to move the masses.” Tupac’s estate, which is a program partner, saw this as an opportunity to carry on his legacy of fighting for freedom of speech: “Tupac believed that creating a safer world for our teens is not only the honorable thing to do, but our responsibility. He believed that freedom of speech and the art of spoken word could change the world.”
Check out some of the talented students below:
Hip-hop stars help teach Lyricism 101 at Boys and Girls Clubs of America
November 08, 2016
