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Creative ID: 226

Art form(s): Community arts, Interarts, Multi-disciplinary, Music, Pacific arts
Language(s): English
Based in: Northland
Where I'm available:
Northland
Anywhere North.
When I'm available: I am available at any time.

My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)

Freestyle is a style of improvisation with or without instrumental beats, in which lyrics are recited with no particular subject or structure. It is similar to other improvisational music, such as jazz, where a lead instrumentalist acts as an improviser with a supporting band providing a beat. Freestyle rapping is spitting lyrics in ciphers (or alone) that you make up on the spot. While you might sneak in a line or two that you wrote the night before, most of your flow should be improvised, spontaneous, and off the top o' the dome. Keep your freestyle lyrics funny, improvised and creative. I deliver freestyle rap workshops to raise aspirations in young people. I explore the myriad ways spoken, chanted, sung or rapped poetry can be performed for an audience. Young people will write their own lyrics and learn to freestyle rap to overcome their personal fear. Up to 20 students can be involved throughout the day. I will challenge participants to take a highly creative and innovative approach, crossing the boundaries between spoken poetry, freestyle, and performance art.

My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with

I've worked as a freestyle artist for over 22 years. I work in schools, perform at live concerts and tour my album across New Zealand, released a book and spoke at TEDx.

Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes

Recently I taught at an Intermediate School which was an amazing teaching and learning experience. I taught young about the art of freestyle rapping, in order to beat their fear that holds them back. Freestyle makes them realise what young people can accomplish by believing in themselves in order to raise their aspirations.

Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice

I hope to empower, encourage and instill confidence into the hearts and minds of the youth in Kaitaia through the media of freestyle rapping. There is a pressing need to raise the aspirations of Kaitaia youth, who all too often feel isolated, under-represented and lacking in self-belief. Currently, the unemployment rate in Kaitaia is around 20%. Many families are struggling, and crime is prevalent due to the lack of resources to support positive initiatives. Disengaged youth hang out on the streets with nothing to do except cause trouble. I have a long record of working closely with community groups.

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