It's a rap for south London youth first posted 7 September 2001

LONDON - first posted 7 September 2001- 358 words A brilliant Final Performance Night brought the Performance Poetry Project to a cool climax at the headquarters of the UK anti-poverty charity, ATD Fourth World, in south London recently. The aim of the project, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, was to give young people with experience of poverty the chance to express their dreams and frustrations through the microphone, giving them access to a form of cultural expression unavailable in everyday life. Over 10 weeks, UK rapper, Skorpio the Nemesis taught South London Youth (SLY), a group of young people aged 10 to 16, how to express themselves through rap, poetry and beat box. The workshops culminated in a Final Performance Night during which they were able to perform all they had learned, alongside Skorpio, who gave the audience a taste of his own formidable talents. During the project, the young people painted a bold and colourful mural representing South London Youth, to act as a backdrop for the Final Performance Night and performed in front of it during the show. Speaking about the project, Skorpio the Nemesis said, The outcome of this project is proof, that no-one should ever under-estimate the youth. Even those from deprived backgrounds, can still make a sound. I really enjoyed the workshops, and there was a lot of love shared between the participants. The aim of the project was to give young people with experience of poverty the chance to express their dreams and frustrations through the microphone giving them access to a form of cultural expression unavailable in everyday life. It was very empowering for the young people who certainly believe that they learned a lot from Skorpio. Participant, Christopher Kelsey said: "The best thing we learned was how to beat box. The project was really fun and I really liked Skorpio. I was nervous before the show, but once I started performing I relaxed and enjoyed myself!" If you would like to know more about the work of ATD Fourth World you can contact Matt Davies on 020 7703 3231 or email: atd@atd.demon.co.uk