“Skip to main content      Accessibility My DCU | Library | Loop |  Skip to main content Explore Faculties & Schools Study at DCU Research & Engagement Offices & Departments Courses & Quicklinks School of Human Development School of Human Development About News & Events Research + Programmes People Contact DCU Institute of Education You are here Urban Art Beat Project On Monday the 12th March the School of Human Devlopment hosted the co-directors of the Urban Art Beat Project from New York, who offered a workshop on their unique style of critical revolutionary hip hop pedagogy. Rosa and Spirit introduced members of the HD School to the creative educational work they do with young Black and Latino men through the medium of music, spoken work and hip hop. The workshop which lasted two hours was part of our research and preparation for a School's celebration of the 50th anniversary of the publication of the ground-breaking educational work by Paulo Freire, Pedagogy of the Oppressed to be held next October. The participants (not all present here) explored praxis, challenges, and the relation between the new black art movement and possibilities for transformation in the communities where they work in the US and in a number of centres in Europe. The School members also explored the challenges involved in engaging with radical pedagogies and practices from within their own disciplines and practices. The experience was inspiring and full of hope and love. Zembylas following in the Freirean and emancipatory tradition calls us to as educators to engage in a "Revolution of Love"! This is the spirit of Urban Art Beat. 15th March, 2018 Share Student Email Staff Email Student Apps Staff Apps Loop Disclaimer Privacy Contact Us Important information regarding cookies and the www.DCU.ie website. By using this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the www.DCU.ie Privacy and Cookies statement. Yes, I agree ” - DCU

“THE MORAL ECONOMY A MAINSTREAM IDEA SPIRITCHILD AT THE #CHALLENGINGCAPITALISTMODERNITYIII CONFERENCE – EXCLUSIVE PROPAGANDA 18TH APRIL 2017MAINSTREAM IDEA  LEAVE A COMMENT SpiritChild, revolutionary hip-hop artist from around the world, gave a workshop and a performance at this year’s Challenging Capitalist Modernity III conference in Hamburg, Germany. Eddy caught up with him afterwards to get his thoughts. Join in on this Exclusive Propaganda to hear about the role of culture and hip hop in changing the world. Audio (download): Audio Player 00:00 00:00 Use Up/Down Arrow keys to increase or decrease volume. “A freedom singer from the South Bronx by way of Brooklyn, spiritchild uses the arts to cultivate a cultural revolution throughout the world, from the United States to Europe, from Africa to South East Asia.” This quotation doesn’t say enough about SpiritChild. His work and his music demonstrates the deep spiritual connection that we have with the world and with each other. Our conversation ranges from the role of women in the Kurdish freedom movement, to the origins of hip hop as the “bastard child” of black political culture, to how Spirit Child got his name. Staying in tune with and contributing to the pulse of young people’s musical and social heartbeat is at the core of this artist’s life work. spiritchild has extensive experience developing and leading workshops and programs on Critical Revolutionary Hip Hop pedagogy, songwriting and artist development. spiritchild has worked with homeless youth, youth offenders and young emerging artists as program director of One Mic and EAR (Emerging Artists in Residency) for Art Start and as a mentor, teaching artist and consultant for Urban Art Beat. Both are New York based nonprofit organizations that use the power of creative arts and music to transform youth. spiritchild continues to engage, inspire and uplift youth in community centers, juvenile detention facilities, high schools, colleges and universities throughout the world. This revolution is not only a political one, it is cultural as well, and it needs art just as much as it needs science. Homepage: http://www.xspiritmental.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xspiritmental/ ” - Eddy

“New Hip-Hop Summer Camp for Social Justice Focuses on Keeping the Peace | BK Live Urban Art Beat, Art Start, and a whole lot of partner organizations are bringing teenagers to Crown Heights for what's called "Hip-Hop Summer Camp for Social Justice.   ” - BK Live

“Peace and bliss planet rockers!This show features SPIRITCHILD. He is an inspiration to us all. From mentoring youth to ripping the microphone- he is Hip Hop.Watch as he breaks down his positive activities around the world and spins for us as well.Hosted by John Robinson, this episode will have you pressing rewind! VISUAL CAFFEINE-episode45-VISIONARIES from SEN ONE6 UZN on Vimeo.” - Visual Caffeine

“ INTERCULTURAL JOURNEYS PRESENTS FARAH SIRAJ WITH SPECIAL GUEST SPIRITCHILD October 10, 2014 Concert begins at 7:30pm Location: Ibrahim Theater at International House Philadelphia Tickets available for purchase through International House Philadelphia, or call the International House Philadelphia Box Office at 215.387.5125 then press 2. Tickets: $15 General Admission/ $10 for International House Philadelphia members/ $8 Students This concert is performed with generous support by Her Royal Highness Princess Alia Al Hussein New! Read the interview with Farah Siraj here.  Listen to the podcast here. Photo of Farah Siraj by Ann Blake.   Join us for our inaugural concert at the Ibrahim Theater at International House Philadephia with IJ artist, Farah Siraj, her Arabian Flamenco band, and special guest spiritchild. Farah and her band have performed across the U.S., Middle East, and throughout Europe for numerous dignitaries and populations. This concert will feature an upbeat and unique blend of flamenco, jazz, bossa nova, and hip-hop from self-identified freedom singer, spiritchild. BIO: FARAH SIRAJ Named Jordan's “Musical Ambassadress”, Jordanian virtuoso Farah Siraj balances a career that spans the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Farah has performed at some of the world's most prestigious platforms, including the United Nations, Nobel Prize Hall, the World Economic Forum, the TV show Good Morning Live in the USA, MBC TV in the Middle East and the Antena de Oro Awards of Spain. Farah has performed before HM King Abdullah II and HM Queen Rania of Jordan, HM King Juan Carlos of Spain, HRH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and HE Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. In addition, Farah represents Jordan annually on United Nations World Peace Day.            In 2011 Farah internationally released her album entitled NOMAD, funded personally by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. In NOMAD, Farah performs her original compositions, fusing influences of middle eastern music, flamenco, jazz, bossa and pop, with lyrics in Arabic, Spanish and English. The recordings took place in the Middle East, Spain and the USA, including more than 30 internationally acclaimed musicians from five different continents. In early 2012, after the success of NOMAD, Farah presented the world premiere of her new work, entitled The Arabian Jazz Project, featuring original compositions and traditional middle eastern tunes set to a jazz context. As a result of the success of The Arabian Jazz Project, Farah was chosen as one of the “Summer Stars of Jazz” by New York's The Villager Newspaper, and named “the Norah Jones of the Middle East” by New York Time Out. In addition to the productions of NOMAD and The Arabian Jazz Project, Farah currently leads an ethnically diverse quintet of Arabian Flamenco Jazz, with world-class musicians from the Middle East, Europe, the United States and South America, including music from all four regions.  Farah and her Arabian Flamenco Jazz band were flown in to Dubai in November 2012 to inaugurate the opening of the world's tallest hotel with a concert under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Farah studied at the prestigious Trinity College of Music in London and Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she was recognized for her lush Arabian vocals, as mentioned in the article “Out of Berklee, A Gift of Music” by the Boston Globe. Farah's music often expresses the reality of war and raises awareness for the urgent need for peace. In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, Farah was invited to perform at the 2012 United Nations Humanitarian Awards in New York. In addition, Farah's music was played before the United Nations Security Council before passing a legislation regarding the genocide in Darfur.  Learn more about Farah here: www.farahsiraj.com Hear more of Farah’s music here: http://www.farahsiraj.com/music.html BIO: SPIRITCHILD   spiritchild, as he is known, is a freedom singer from the south Bronx by way of Brooklyn, who uses the arts to cultivate a cultural revolution. He integrates activism and hip hop music production as the founder of the Movement In Motion Artist & Activist Collective. As the Rhythmic Poet of the Hip Hop Fusion Band Mental Notes, he uses his music to converse with his audience to the injustices facing the poor and oppressed, inspiring action on environmental and social justice in New York City and around the world. No one attends a session with spiritchild without leaving encouraged. His ability to draw out creativity and confidence heals those around him, and is the catalyst for deep analysis and social change. He is an instructor for songwriting and artist at several public schools throughout New York, and facilitates that process internationally on seasonal tours in Africa, South East Asia, Europe and elsewhere.  spiritchild has assisted with organizing regional conferences on climate change, he is highlighting disaster relief and environmental justice with black, brown and other oppressed people. He has also produced and recorded with and for award winning Grammy® nominee Maya Azucena, legendary Les Nubians, spoken word nuyorican poets champion Ainsley Burrows, X-Vandals & Ricanstructions very own N4P to name a few. Balance has been created by engaging and developing the youth with hip hop pedagogy as program director of One Mic and founder of One Mic Collective/Art Start working with youth offenders as well as in Children’s Village Dobbs Ferry New York Juvenile Detention Facility.   He has also worked with and for intellectually disabled and psychologically diagnosed adults in the Bronx. Find out more about spiritchild here: http://xspiritmental.com/band_bio/#sthash.4IICOgQ5.dpuf ” - Intercultural Journeys

“Hip Hop Summer Camp for Social Justice gives youth affected by gun violence and police brutality an outlet Twenty youngsters affected by gun violence and police brutality were given an outlet to express their pain through music and poetry, during a four-day intensive Hip Hop Summer Camp for Social Justice at Harlem's SCAN Johnson Community Center. BY JAN RANSOM    NEW YORK DAILY NEWS   Tuesday, September 2, 2014, 8:42 PM ROY ANTHONY MORRISONChris Ross and Eric Morrison perform at the 20th annual Nicholas Heyward Jr. Day of Remembrance. They're turning their anger into art. Twenty youngsters affected by gun violence and police brutality were given an outlet to express their pain through music and poetry, during a four-day intensive Hip Hop Summer Camp for Social Justice at Harlem’s SCAN Johnson Community Center. I want people to feel what I've been through. “I can paint a vivid picture with music,” said Michael David Love, 21, of East Harlem, whose life changed after he watched cops roughup his friend. ROY ANTHONY MORRISONMural created by the camp participants centered around gun violence and police brutality “I was furious, scared, nervous. I didn’t know how to act toward it at all,” the young rapper said. “I want people to feel what I’ve been through.” ROY ANTHONY MORRISONChristopher Zargoza and Bremman Burgos rehearsing their original song on gun violence and police brutality The program — sponsored by Urban Art Beat, Art Start and The Next Youth Coalition — kicked off Aug. 18 amid protests over the death of Eric Garner in Staten Island and Mike Brown in Ferguson, MO. Garner died July 17 after officers placed him in a chokehold and Brown, whose death sparked national outrage and riots, was shot dead by police on Aug. 9. ROY ANTHONY MORRISONJohn Pritchett, Michael David Yan, Breani Michele, Gelsing Arauz pose after their performance at the 20th annual Nicholas Heyward Jr. Day of Remembrance. It connects aspiring emcees, poets and singers, between the ages of 13 and 21, with industry professionals and anti-violence groups to craft performances that express their experiences. Their works were showcased last Sunday at The Youth Speak Out Against Police Brutality event at Marcus Garvey Park and on Aug. 23 in Brooklyn for the 20th Annual Day of Remembrance for Nicholas Heyward Jr., who was shot dead by police in 1994. “It is a bit of magic,” said Rosaleen Knoepfel, who founded Urban Art Beat in 2005 in response to mounting gun violence. “It’s intense emotionally and productively.” “People are really angry,” she said, “but don’t always translate that into change.” jransom@nydailynews.com   ” - BY JAN RANSOM

“ Spiritchild & Mental Notes @ Blue Note Jazz Club – Show @ 12:30AM Friday Night (Doors @ 12AM/Midnight) New York City’s original hip-hop ensemble Mental Notes has been attracting diverse audiences with its sound and vibrations since 1999. The group’s eclectic fusion of old school hip-hop, funk, electronica, jazz, and acid rock continues to break the boundaries of the New York live music scene. Lead vocalist and emcee Spiritchild has produced several film scores and spoken word albums for Nuyorican Slam Champions Ainsley Burrows and SmokiFantastic and has released multiple solo albums, including A Tribute to Nina Simone (2001), Eclipse of Hope (2005), and Dark Matters (2010). Together, he and the other members of Mental Notes create an intense listening experience that rivals any sound to come out of the NYC hip-hop scene in recent memory. « Back to Events Date:June 6, 2014 Cost:$10 - $15Venue:Blue Note Jazz Club Copyright 2014 Bluenote Jazz Festival. All rights reserved. Home | Schedule | About | Video | Press | Contact WEBSITE BUILT BY THE FACTORY   ” - Blue Note Jazz Festival

“Videos Hier stellen wir euch ein kleine Auswahl von Videos vor, die bei der Arbeit im St.Martin-Haus entstanden sind. _______________________________________________________ Den Anfang machen wir mit dem Song “Die Welt in der ich lebe”. Zu Beginn des Videos stellen sich einige Jugendliche vor und gewähren einen kurzen Einblick in das HipHop-Projekt des St.Martin-Hauses: _______________________________________________________ Im folgenden Song “14 Uhr” von Shalau Baban alias “Maxolan” reflektiert der 18-jährige Schüler über den Alltag und die Lebenssituation von Jugendlichen im Wadtal: _______________________________________________________ Das Video “International” ist bei unserer Jugendbegegnungsreise nach New York im Sommer 2011 entstanden: _______________________________________________________ “Stand Up” von den Woodvalley Kids gemeinsam mit unserem New Yorker Freund “Spiritchild”der uns im Mai 2012 für einen Workshop besuchte : _______________________________________________________ “Integration” von Woodvalley Movement featuring G-Hun: _______________________________________________________ “Danke Mum und Dad” von Nadge: _______________________________________________________   ” - St Martin Haus

“   this video sums up our international youth delegation from Berlin to Prague Dec 2011 - Jan 2012 with interviews, performances and process.  big up to Olad for putting this mini doc together and the gangway beatz crew. also much love to Ivanka Mariposa Čonková for the concept and keeping the mission and vision of Movement In Motion across waters.  special thanks to our international community Movement In Motion Berlin, and now Movement in Motion Prague.  MC Metoděj Constantine for continuing the work with our youth in Ulita. GangwayBeatz and Mental Notes working with youths in Prague....... http://www.facebook.com/pages/Slova-m%C3%ADsto-zbran%C3%AD-hiphop-projekt-v-Ulit%C4%9B/228942263824801?sk=info Genre Hip-hop, Street dance, Break dance Hometown Praha Record Label DDM Ulita Description Česko- německý projekt Slova místo zbraní s Newyorským hiphoperem Spiritchildem. Přijďte 27.9. v 17hodin do DDM Ulita na jeho show! Dozvíš se víc a můžeš si vybrat jestli volnou středu 28.9.i budeš věnovat dělání hip hopu se Spiritchildem, nebo jestli budeš tančit s Adélou a Standou. Co je , ale jistý Spiritchild se ti může věnovat celou středu! Tak neváhej anapiš si pro více informací. Program: 27.9. 17.00 Show Spiritchilda v DDM Ulita Představení projektu Slova místo zbraní 28.9. 10 - 12h Dílna hip-hopu se Spiritchildem I. 10 - 12h Street dance a breakdance I. 12 - 13h pauza na občerstvení 13 - 15h Dílna hip-hopu se Spiritchildem II. 13 - 15h Street dance a break dance II. 29.9. 16.00 Závěr první části projektu V Prosinci se Spiritchild vrátí a ti, kdo s ník pracovali na hudbě natočí CD a tanečníci k němu natočí videoklip! CELÝ PROJEKT JE PODPOŘEN EVROPSKOU UNIÍ A ÚČAST NA NĚM JE ZDARMA. ” - Olad of GangwayBeatz

“Catch Isis Storm Alongside Wash. DC’s Head-Roc and NYC’s Spiritchild: The Empower Providence Show at Roots 7OCT TODAY AT ROOTS in Downtown Providence: THE EMPOWER PROVIDENCE PROJECT Featuring DC’s Mayor of Hip Hop, Head-RocNYC’s Spiritchild and RI’s own Isis Storm   @ROOTS Cultural Center276 Westminster StreetProvidence, RI 02903   Mixer & Marketplace, 6 PMLive Performances, 8 PM$10 advanced$12 at door$7.00 for students, veterans, senior citizens, and groups of 3 or moreINFO-TIX-SPONSOR-VENDOR:www.VenusSings.comwww.IsisStorm.com(401) 217-9680singsvenus@gmail.com *** MORE INFO 1) Click here to listen to the Wednesday, October 5 edition of Sonic Watermelons, which includes samples of music from Head-Roc, Spiritchild, and 5th Elament of Isis Storm – and details about today’s show and other community events. 2) Read more below   Hip Hop Show Gathers Visiting Musicians, Local Artists and Activists to “Empower Providence” and Inspire Youth   PROVIDENCE, RI – The Empower Providence Project is a multidimensional cultural celebration happening on Friday, October 7, 2011, beginning with community service and civic engagement and culminating with an evening performance in downtown Providence by Washington, DC based hip hop artist, Head-Roc; NYC-based hip hop artist and “freedom singer,” Spiritchild; and RI-based artists from the women’s performance group, Isis Storm.  It is part of a movement to connect the public to artists and musicians who explore community issues in their work, and it comes at the same time as the Occupy Wall Street direct actions that have stirred up community members of all ages and backgrounds – and sparked similar “occupy” activities in DC, Boston, and here in Providence.   Head-Roc is an independent musician who has gained most of his fan base through two decades of live performances and activism.  He has been outspoken on issues of racism, neglect of communities of color, and inequities in urban school districts, and he regularly writes songs advocating for workers rights, environmental justice, and using music to grow political movements.  Before his evening performance, he will speak to and perform for a rally organized by youth from RI Jobs with Justice, a grassroots community organization located in Providence. Spiritchild, who is from the south Bronx and Brooklyn, is also known for integrating activism and music.  He uses his art to converse with his audience about the injustices facing the poor and oppressed, the dangers of climate change, and the need to take on environmental justice issues, in New York City and around the world. He is also an instructor in songwriting at several public schools throughout New York.  Prior to his evening performance, he will speak to and perform for students and families of the Mount Hope Learning Center’s 21st Century After School Program in Providence. All of the festivities happen on October 7, 2011 and members of the RI-based artist collective, Isis Storm, will also participate along the way.  Isis Storm is a group of women who use art, words and music to empower women and underserved communities, specifically through performances, workshops, and media projects. The group was founded by writer, DJ, and multimedia producer, Reza C. Clifton (DJ Reza Wreckage), and hip hop artist, poet and scholar-educator, Kalyana Champlain (5th Elament). The Empower Providence Project culminates with performances from Head-Roc, Spiritchild and Isis Storm at the Roots Cultural Center, 276 Westminster Street in downtown, Providence, starting at 8:00 PM.  The event is open to the public and attendees of all ages, and admission is $7 to $12 dollars depending on group rates, special discounts and whether tickets are bought ahead of time or at the door.   Besides performances by Head-Roc, Spiritchild and Isis Storm, WRIU, 90.3 host, DJ Kellan, will also spin music, and there will be open mic opportunities sprinkled through out the evening. Prior to the event, from 6-8 PM, event sponsors and the community-at-large are invited to join Isis Storm, RI Jobs With Justice, Environmental Justice League of RI, Mount Hope Learning Center, and other community organizations to learn about some of the community issues that exist here in RI, at “The People of Culture Mixer and Marketplace.” Click here to purchase (and print) tickets to tonight’s show or call (401)217-9680 to sign up for the group/student/special rate. ” - Isis