Watch the video for European Youth

This collaboration from two European capitals encompasses six languages, and an array of musical styles. Cross Culture presents European Youth:

This project was funded by the European Commission programme Youth in Action.

What the Madrileños got up to in London...

For the past two weeks, 8 young musicians and artists based in Madrid have been in London, working with young local artists to create a song looking at what it means to be a young person living in Europe. 

At Bollo Brook Youth Centre in Acton

The project was based at Bollo Brook Youth Centre in Acton- and we'd like to thank everyone there- especially Colin and all the young people who participated for making the Madrileños feel so welcome.

Recording in the studio

Watch this space for the music video produced by the London/Madrid collaboration...

New project for 2013: International Youth Exchange

8 young musicians from Madrid will be coming to London between 2-12 September 2013. We're inviting London-based young musicians and artists to come and collaborate with them and contribute to a song and accompanying video promoting European youth and diversity. The sessions will be held at Bollo Brook Youth Centre in Acton.

Music video: Kyroe

With a charismatic and unpredictable flow, rapper Kyroe uses his b-boy background to give an electric energy to his rapping. Kyroe's tribute to Kendrick Lamar's She Needs Me features Ryan Bassie (bass), Maddi Eme (guitar) and Wavy T (drums), giving the song a whole new acoustic spin. 

Watch the video filmed in Ealing and central London:

  

Kyroe's Youtube Channel and Soundcloud

Music video: Rish

Hailing from Southall, west London, Rish is a rapper with a playful, grime-influenced style. Ranging from sensitive to aggressive, Rish's lyrics paint a picture of life as a young man trying to make sense of the modern world and all its complications. 

His video for Hoodrap Freestyle features some of the biggest symbols of his hometown London:

Listen to other tracks at Rish's Youtube Channel

Music video: Vikz

Vikz is a rapper and producer from Southall, west London who participated in the Young Artists' Network. With passionate, concious lyrics and accomplished self-produced beats, Vikz is definately one to watch. 

Here is the video for his track Bop to the Beat, filmed in Ealing and central London at the Old Vic Tunnels. 

Check out more of Vikz' music on his Youtube Channel

Recording at Westside

Musicians Ryan Bassie, Maddi Eme and Wavy T with rapper Kyroe recorded a song at Westside studio. Here is how they got on:

 

Interview on Aculco Radio

Participants were invited to talk about the project on Aculco Radio, a Latin American community radio based in Brixton, south London. They talked with radio director Gloria Gomez about the project, their music, and why rap is still so popular with young people today. Listen below:

Aculco radio's website (in Spanish)

Live Event

All the hard work had been leading up to this moment... the live event on 22nd December. Congratulations to all who took part, the quality of the performances was so high and really impressed. The event was a great way to give visibility to the dedication, talents and achievements of young people and give positive attention to youth culture. Check below for highlights from the event:

Dress Rehearsal

After two months of rehearsals, the young artists from the Bandform project at Westside Youth Centre performed at West Ealing Craft Fair on 15th December 2012. Considering that most of them didn't know each other before the start of the project and many had not performed before, it's safe to say they smashed it.

Rehearsals

Young musicians and vocalists, often with no experience of playing with others, rehearsed together over 10 weeks. The project was designed to encourage solidarity among young people and form constructive, creative friendships outside of formal education. The was an interesting mix of different musical tastes, social and cultural backgrounds and the participants took advantage of this, working together to create new exciting sounds.

What is Youth in Action?

The Young Artists' Network was funded by the Youth in Action programme.

Youth in Action encourages young people to travel around the EU and beyond, explore new cultures and get involved in non-formal learning projects. The Young Artists' Network won funding through Youth Initiatives.

Youth Initiatives enables young people to come up with an idea of their own, get others involved, apply for funding and make the project happen.


To find out more about Youth in Action and how to write a project and apply for funding, visit the Youth in Action website.

About the project...

The Young Artists' Network (YAN) is a youth initiative designed by the organisation Cross Culture and funded by Youth in Action. An artistic and cultural project, YAN saw the creation of a workshop and rehearsal space for young people to aid in music creation and performance.

The aim was to make music an instrument of cultural and social inclusion, as music can be a great focal point for young peoples' participation and integration, however more often than not it is used as instrument of division and exclusion.

We hoped to contribute to making young people and youth culture visible in society, eradicating stigma and fostering tolerance between youth and the wider community.

The sessions took place at Westside Young Peoples' Centre in Ealing.