Hey Peeps!

What’s a crack-a-lacking?! (been around Rukus too long & picking up da street slang hard!) Lol.

Hope all’s good!

Well it’s about time I gave you an update on what’s happening…

I’ve been having weekly catch ups with Rukus as I’m managing him during this process – basically I’m the one cracking the whip!  Lol.  Well apart from Naomi the producer who cracks her whip with me!  Well… in the nicest sense.

We have our face to face catch ups on Thursdays where Rukus tells me his thoughts & concerns of the project.  Plus I get a live performance on his works in progress.  How energetic they are!

He’s recently changed direction on his story/ approach which I feel is more powerful.

I’ve given feedback on how he can make each character unique with words & the art of story e.g. Rukus is very used to writing in lyrical rap, though I’ve challenged him to try writing a mixture of lyrical rhyme & prose.  More so for the female voice.  I suggested he read ‘Are you there God, it’s me Margaret’ by Judy Blume to get a strong idea of a female voice by someone who’s much older.  Though we would welcome suggestions, from male writers, who has written in the female voice successfully????  As he has found this slightly challenging.

Hey All!  Wowee!  I’ve only just been getting used to remembering to log onto facebook & myspace, then Apples & Snakes throw this one at me! Lol.  A little intro from me…  I’m the East Midlands Programme Co-ordinator and I’m kinda sorta managing Da Boy Wonder – Rukus, as the East Mids commissioned artist on MPOY.

I’m so excited to be involved in this project and equally excited that I have a very enthuiastic artist to work with.

We began our residencies in  the past week and had great responses from the ‘youth’ (our focus on MPOY).  Rukus was a definite ‘dude’ in their eyes.  Trust me…  dat’s a good ting!!

Some of those young people really inspired me as I saw some raw lyrical and writing talent that day.  Many who really knew how to express themselves verbally.  They found an opportunity to be heard!

And so we prod on to the next stage of residencies – one more session ‘on da street’ plus we’re catching up with some local older individuals who can share their ‘youth’ years & comment on the youth today.

In da meantime…  check out Rukus’ MPOY video diary at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=asCzpMuFH_o

Till da next time…  Blessings!

Steph