Representing NYC: Ages 12-14

Representing NYC is taking it back to street level, where hip-hop was born and is still alive and kicking. The initiative, curated by musician Sam Hillmer (member of Zs, producer of Dirty Projectors), is aimed at bringing under privileged East Brooklyn youth together to express their views on their surrounding environment. The project teams up young aspiring artists with indie producers in the local neighbourhood, with the purpose of kick starting the kids’ careers away from corporate music interests and large label endorsements. The project is currently backed by a number of community groups and small local businesses.

The first collaboration is between a group of school girls from Brownsville Middle School who met each other while attending the Learning Through Extended Arts Programme (LEAP). The programme originally began with 22 students, but only six made it to the end. Those six girls, all between the ages of 12 and 14, now make up the hip-hop group known as The Fly Girlz, and after six months writing and rehearsing new songs they have their first album finished and officially released. Titled Da Bratz from Da Ville, the album is turning the girls into underground super stars. With sweet, softly spoken lyrics about the challenges facing youth in the 21st century, the girls’ fresh appearance and approach to music shines a bright light into the hip-hop world. It’s hard to believe they are of such young ages, making such diligent and socially aware hip-hop.

I’m sure youth groups like this exist all over the world, but this one in particular has produced something remarkable. The songs are so infectious and catchy, the girls can be really proud of themselves. They made their live stage debut in March at New York’s New Museum on Bowery.

 The Fly Girlz- Born 2 B Fly: MP3

Representing NYC- Myspace

 

Posted by Nick Fulton under New York
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