KARL NOVA in a school in Colchester
I wish I could put into words the feeling I get when I see the creative energy that comes from the young people in our workshops. I sincerely believe creative education is a necessity. The amazing creativity I have seen come forth from young people is inspiring, even THEY are amazed at discovering what they are able to do. I use rap and performance poetry in the sessions I do. My aim is show that it is an art form that has value and also that they can participate in it’s creation and performance. I always seek to engage, educate and inspire. I want them to believe in themselves and develop confidence. For them to know that they have a voice. I have a passion for rap/poetry and I want to pass it on to them because that passion has changed my life for the better.
I know rap music is stereotypically seen in a negative light but there is a flipside to it, at the bottom of it all it's about creativity and telling a story. Through my rap and poetry I try to bring that positive part of the narrative to the young through the workshops. Some of them have never heard rap this positive and exciting and with the way urban music is dominant today, I believe our workshops help bring a balance and put things in context for the young people.
The song below is a song I wrote with the workshops in mind. It was originally called “Letter to a younger me” but when I do it in the workshops (normally without music so that the words can be clearly heard) I introduce the song as “I’m gonna make it”
Letter to a younger me (I'm gonna make it) by NovaLeaks
