Press
NON-PROFIT PROGRAM "THE DJ PROJECT" REACHES
AT-RISK YOUTH THROUGH TURNTABLISM AND HIP HOP
Youth music organization releases " Devolutionary
Theory : The DJ Project Volume 2," a compilation CD written
and produced entirely by youth.
July 16, 2002 (San Francisco)
Non-profit program The DJ Project proudly announces the release
of its second album, "Devolutionary Theory : The DJ Project
Volume II" on August 1, 2002.
The CD, a 17-track compilation of hip-hop beats
and lyrics, turntablism and spoken word poetry, was created and
produced by at-risk youth from low-income neighborhoods in San Francisco.
Based on the community support for its first release, "Mission
Voices : The DJ Project Volume I," The DJ Project will expand
distribution of its second release, making it available to music
fans worldwide through its newly launched website - www.thedjproject.com
- and at select San Francisco retail outlets.
All of the artists featured on the album are participants in The
DJ Project, an after-school program sponsored by Horizons Unlimited.
Founded in November 2000, the program offers young people the opportunity
to learn production and performance skills, and also stresses the
equally important values of education, entrepreneurship, employment,
leadership and community service.
During the four-month long program, students spend time analyzing
and critiquing popular music, researching other music programs,
learning DJ and audio production techniques, creating music, writing
positive rap lyrics, and performing at community events. Participants
also learn how to apply their newly-developed skills to the real
world by writing grants, developing a retail database, tracking
album sales, and managing a small, youth-led mobile DJ business
through which the young DJs learn how to run a successful micro-enterprise.
As Jeff Feinman, Program Director of the DJ Project, explains, "I
had seen so many other youth educators trying to reach this part
of the population--kids that are susceptible to gang violence and
drugs--that I knew I had to figure out a better way to engage them.
Being a hip-hop head myself, I knew about the popularity of turntablism
and hiphop culture in general among young people. I decided to turn
that passion into a learning tool by creating the DJ Project. Now
the young people are in the studio every afternoon instead of on
the streets. We even have a pretty long waiting list."
During the four-month long program, students spend time analyzing
and critiquing popular music, researching other music programs,
learning DJ and audio production techniques, creating music and
writing positive rap lyrics, and planning and performing at community
events. Participants also learn how to apply their newly-developed
skills to the real world by writing grants, developing a retail
database, tracking album sales, and managing a small, youth operated
mobile DJ business through which the young entrepreneurs learn how
to run a successful micro-enterprise.
Involvement in the DJ Project has resulted in increased focus, time
management, and goal-setting abilities for its participants, leading
to higher grades and a greater level of motivation and self-determination
in many cases."The DJ Project has changed my life," says
16 year-old Jacky Carrillo."I am able to express myself and
learn, while still teaching others." 19 year-old Juan Guillermo
adds, "It’s helped me a lot, and I know it’s gonna
help me later on in life."
Instruction for the DJ Project takes place through peer-assisted
learning, with the help of guest artists and speakers from the Bay
Area’s famed hip-hop community. Artists-Instructors for the
current project cycle are noted turntablist/ producer DJ Zeph (Widehive,
VU) and hip-hop lyricist/ spoken word poet Azeem (Spearhead, The
Funky Precedent Volume 2). Featured guests on "Devolutionary
Theory" include world-renowned turntablist DJ Quest (Space
Travelers, Live Human), saxophonist David Boyce (Broun Fellinis)
and djembe player Leon Mobley (Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals,
Babatunde Olatunji).
"These are kids from (inner city areas) Hunters Point and the
Mission. They are older than their age and are eager to learn and
create," states Azeem, who relates that his interest in the
program stems from his own personal experience. "Conscious
hip-hop guided and saved me at a time I could have gone in a negative
direction," he says.
DJ Zeph adds, "I think that traditional school has struggled
to get and keep most kids' attention, let alone inspire them to
learn. Since hip-hop is a youth-dominated culture, The DJ Project
gives them something they care about, is considered hip, and promotes
learning, in comparison to subjects like history where the things
learned aren't relevant to kids' lives, or are remembered for a
test, then forgotten."
The DJ Project is currently seeking long-term corporate partners
to support and expand this program on a national level, as well
as guest speakers and instructors with music industry experience.
For more information on The DJ Project, contact Jeff Feinman at
415.487.6714 or visit
www.theDJproject.com.
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