On Friday November 30th, Project Jericho gave the youth in our community the chance to show off their Rhythm And Poetry skills with a one of a kind RAP session held within the walls of the Clark State Performing Arts Center Turner Studio.

Professional musicians Michael Kelsey, Joshua Harris, and Maurice Harris gave the kids a demonstration of all the skills that can be mastered from beat boxing, free style writing and rapping, vocal percussion, and how the melody ties into it all. They also showed the youth how to deliver their raps to make it sound good for a crowd. The beats poured from the artists’ mouths and instruments, while participants eyes opened wide with excitement wondering how it was possible for anyone to make such noises and imitations with only their mouths. Many did not realize that they were also capable of creating this type of artistry… until it was time to give it a try.

As the night went on, the youth started experimenting with all the possibilities and began free-styling on their own with no help by the artists! The youth put forth an amazing effort as the talent flowed out of them, as if they were already experienced in rap battles! As the words jumped off one performers tongue, another person was beat boxing and mouth drumming, while in the rare quiet moments Josh Harris occasionally jumped in to free-style, and Maurice Harris to beat box, while Michael Kelsey kept a melody with his amazing guitar skills to hold the beat strong. It was quite an atmosphere.

The youth sang about all of life’s experiences, including relationships, Thanksgiving and more. The fluid words sliding off their lips and into the mic filled the room with an uncanny energy, as if the youths emotions were only evident through music.

Art changes lives-a statement proved by a project like this one. The participants attitudes towards life and those around them have changed, and now they can even stand up in front of a crowd of peers and perform, and receive applause!

These ladies and gentlemen are TALENTED! It’s hard to believe that none of them are signed as professionals! The rhythms and lyrics sounded experienced as if these kids have journeyed through the depths of their own anguish and found an escape into friendship and true openness, a chance to be happy and have fun with others around them. Many found an art form that allowed them to accept who they are in others eyes as well as who they are within their own eyes, which is a wonderful thing. These kids are stepping out of their shells and creating artwork that is the blossoming of their souls.

By Project Jericho Journalist Lindsay Baker