DETROIT, MI. (www.youngpop.com) - Hip-hop plus wisdom equals a proven formula to reach youth. Traditionally, the word hip-hop has caused parents, educators and law enforcement personnel to shudder. Hip-hop and rap music has been rife with derogatory lyrics and explicit references to drugs, violence, sex, crime and easy money. That is, until now.
Detroit-based hip-hop group Mello-D's "Youth Under Construction," under the supervision of visionary producers David "Mello-D" and Lisa Sawicki, has developed into a multi-pronged entity with a CD, touring performances, even carefully tailored lesson plans for educators to use in conjunction with their music and performances. Each song has as much power, punch and hook as any other successful commercial act working today.
The difference is that the Youth Under Construction CD takes concepts typically deemed "un-hip" by students like anti-bullying, motivation, tolerance, empathy, discipline and confidence, and makes them hip with their energized and arresting singing, dancing and musical arrangements. A recent performance at a middle school in Jackson, MI was likened more to a rock concert than school assembly, complete with fog machines, flashing lights and enthusiastic screams from ecstatic students.
Considering Detroit's often negative cultural image, this has been no small feat.
"Clearly, our idea of presenting positive messages, with a modern urban sound was a vision that succeeded beyond our wildest dreams," explains producer, writer and project creator David Sawicki.
"We actually made a winning formula, a product and program that enables and reaches youth with wisdom," adds executive producer Lisa Sawicki.
In addition to the tremendous audience responses, Youth Under Construction has won two national/international awards: the Parent's Choice Foundation Gold Award and the 2004 Children's Music Web Award in the "Best Older Music Category."
Youth Under Construction consists of nearly fifty talented singers and dancers ranging in age from seven to twenty-six years old. They are currently working on their second musical dramatic play, "The Lyrics Moved In," which showcases a strong anti-bullying message.
"We're trying to show kids that you can be positive, that there's a better way," said vocalist Tyrone Davis, 18, of Detroit. "You can still sing and break dance, but do it in a positive way."
Youth Under Construction's message wasn't lost on seventh grader DeAndre Buckner at the recent performance in Jackson, MI. "I thought it rocked," said Buckner, 12. "I thought it was the best program. It really taught us about everything that's happening in school, what we should do. Everything was interesting."
In December, Youth Under Construction's academic lesson plan will be simulcast and discussed in 60 classrooms in Oak Park, Michigan. As a result, the Youth Under Construction movement keeps growing. Many youth organizations are ordering the CD in bulk and using it for holiday gifts and fundraisers.
For more information about Youth Under Construction, please call 248-545-4411 or 248-399-8200.
Or, visit them on the web at www.youngpop.com. Photos, CDs and DVDs are available upon request.
