MEDIA RELEASE

Hip-Hop artists take their stories to the screen

Released 1 August 2007

Information and Cultural Exchange
PO Box 4033 Parramatta NSW 2124 Australia
T: +61(2) 9897 5744 / F: +61(2) 9897 5766

Young hip-hop artists will learn how to develop their sound from writing lyrics right through to making a video clip, at Hip-Hop 101, the latest urban music course from ICE.

Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE) is building on its successful hip-hop course, which trains artists to develop their lyrics, perform, use digital music programs and record their songs. Participants in the next course, scheduled for August/September, will also collaborate to make a group video clip.

Course coordinator MC Trey is a well-known Sydney hip-hop artist, gaining wide recognition for her inspirational courses. She has worked on urban music projects targeting unemployed, early school-leavers and at-risk young people from Western Sydney for over 12 months. For this project, she will work with renowned DJ, Nick Toth, and bring in a range of other high-profile artists.

She says the enormous success of the first Hip-Hop 101 course in early 2007 prompted a second run. ‘Last time, participants went on to perform at the 2007 Sydney Writers’ Festival to a full-house,’ she said.

For previous participant James Morgan, this exposure was invaluable. ‘I did Hip-Hop 101 earlier in the year and was thankful for the opportunities. We also got to perform in front of a massive crowd in the city, that was a highlight for me.’

MC Trey added video production in response to student feedback. ‘Previous participants asked me about making a video clip so thanks to the support from the Vodafone Australia Foundation, we have been able to accommodate this.’

The eight-week course begins in August and will run from 11am to 3pm, Tuesdays and Wednesdays at two venues in Granville – ICE’s Switch multimedia and digital arts centre and Granville Youth and Community Recreation Centre.

To be eligible, applicants must live in Western Sydney and attend an information session on Monday 13, August 2007 at Information and Cultural Exchange, AMWU Building, Ground Floor, Corner of Good Street and Parramatta Road, Granville.