How Can Lyric Writing Encourage Personal Development

ArtsTrain delivers a lyric writing programme for singers and MC's and we have conducted a number of individual case studies to try and identify some of the personal devleopment benefits that lyric writing can bring about.

CASE STUDY - RAMONE (MC)

Eighteen year old Ramone lives in SE London and has been part of the ArtsTrain project for 2 years. Since attending the programme Ramone has progressed from someone who just wanted MC casually, to a young person that is now focusing on carving out a career in the music industry.

What does music mean to you?

“Music helps me express what’s on my mind. When I’m on the train I’m writing lyrics, when I’m on the bus I’m writing lyrics, even when I’m in the toilet I’m thinking about new bars, you know everyday I’m writing and trying to get new material”

How has music helped you in your life?

"My area is bad, there's nothing to do and the police always want to stop us and question us the whole time. I have always wanted to speak about what happens in my area and my life, my only chance to express my self is when I’m behind the mic. My lyrics give me the chance to say what I want to say and explain what I grew up in, things like exposure to drugs, violence and stuff."

How do you think the project helps other young people?

“ The project gives more opportunities to the younger one’s. If you took me at that young age and encouraged me to MC positively on the mic I would have done it. Loads of the younger ones are so young and they haven’t seen and been involved in what I have so they have the opportunity to change their lives at an early stage”

“The ArtsTrain showcase was good because you gave everyone a chance to perform, even the group with disabilities they done good! That’s the best thing about music is that all the age groups, all the levels and no one was left out!”