DISTRICT B Music Project: Robert's involvement in Bradford District PRU's Youth Music Project
This is a look at young people's involvement in the DISTRICT B Music Project - a Youth Music funded project led by ourselves - Bradford District B PRU in partnership with All Star Entertainment Specialist Education Provider and supported by Bradford Music Education Hub.
We wanted to tell you about Robert 's involvement in the project and why its important to him...
Robert is fifteen and he currently attends Bradford District B PRU where he has been taking part in DISTRICT B Music Project - a Youth Music funded project led by ourselves - Bradford District B PRU in partnership with All Star Entertainment Specialist Education Provider - a Bradford based youth engagement, creativity and music skills development organisation that we have worked with closely for a while now and its also supported by Bradford Music Education Hub.
Robert lives on the Holmewood Estate in Bradford. Before being referred to us he had been excluded from various schools throughout Bradford before starting at our provision in September. When asked why he felt he had been getting excluded from mainstream schools Robert said :-
“I have been excluded from other schools in the past because I don’t like normal school and find it hard in big groups. I’ve found it hard to deal with those sort a places and ended up losing it and getting angry and then getting excluded…’
Robert mentioned some of the issue that he’s been facing which are difficult and stressful for him to deal with…
“Where I’ve grown up there’s been a lot of crime, drugs, people and families fighting…Its been hard to keep out of these things…”
Robert came to us with no real understanding of music or music technology but he is picking up a range of skills really quickly in DJ’ing mixing and creating tracks and mixes. He said:-
“ I got into music first from hearing my Dad listening to a mix of music and brother listening to grime which made me interested and I wanted to do it too. Then when I have got involved with All Star they really helped me take it to the next level..”
There there has been a lot of trouble recently with gangs and crime on Robert’s estate so he has also written a powerful song ' Crime on the Streets' to help him deal with the frustrations this has created for him…Robert has chosen to communicate his feelings through music.
Sideshow Rob - Holmewood Crime.mp3
“ I’m finding it lots better here at ( the PRU) and (getting involved) with… Allstar …music is helping me keep more calm”
We asked Robert why he felt he needed to write the song and what had motivated him. He said :-
“Cos people are often hating on the Holmewood and I wanted to tell people how it actually is round here.. I live round here and I know…It’s a bad area to be honest mush! Holmewood is always in the media for bad things but I’m from Holmewood and I’m trying to make something positive out of a bad situation. The music I’ve been working on is about real life, stuff that’s happening now on the estate, people are sharing it and liking it because they can relate to my music.”
Robert also talked about the power that getting involved in music is having on him :-
“ I enjoy making music and it helps me focus.It also helps my anger.. Music helps me express my thoughts and feelings. It helps me talk about real stuff in my life and area and people relate. Keep it real!”
We asked Robert how he envisaged progressing his music-making and creativity longer term. He said :-
“I want to be famous one day. Im learning how to MC better and I’m hoping to get some gigs in future and I want to write more songs. Plus I want to get some help with interviews…learn how to beatmatch/dj and make my own tracks. I don’t like the writing side of things (unless its lyrics ) and I don’t like maths. I feel like its pointless…I want to be at TFD ( Youth Centre) and djing/preforming. I want to be an apprentice with All Star too. I want to build my followers and likes on YouTube, sound cloud etc. and release some more songs".
Robert’s Mum said :-
“I am so proud of Rob and the way he has changed since starting with yourselves.The way he is acting round his family now has really changed for the better and he seems a lot happier”
Ross from All Star and the lead Music tutor on the project added:-
"Robert has really focused on his music production, lyric writing and DJing whilst at our provision. Robert started our provision around a month ago and he had no level of music tech or dj-ing knowledge. His progression so far has been amazing. Rob has recorded and published his own dj mixes. Rob has recently produced and recorded a song about crime in his local area. The track got picked up by the BBC and they have been to interview Robert with the track getting played live on the radio also. "
The music he has produced is also now available for sale on the All Star label page.
https://allstarrecords.bandcamp.com/track/holmewood-crime
You can find out more about our project and the work of our partner All Star Entertainment by visiting www.allstarents.co.uk