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Fight the power of guns, say rappers
Louise Jury, Chief Arts Correspondent04.03.08
A rap group from south London is releasing an album which calls for youths to lay down guns and knives.
GreenJade's Life As We Know It includes tracks called Gunz Down and Spread Love in a bid to counter the glorification of gang violence by rappers such as 50 Cent.
Wizdom, 28, a member of the fivestrong group, said: "I love hip-hop music but the stuff that most people hear isn't particularly positive. I don't believe in banning 50 Cent but I think there should be a viable alternative - to have something more positive. We want to show the choices that you make can have an effect on the outcomes of your life."
Wizdom said he could see how teenagers were drawn into trouble. One of his friends began carrying weapons after a gang threatened his life. Another was slashed with a knife. "We weren't in a gang but we were being slowly dragged into it," he said. He turned his life around after a workmate offered to pray for him and he began learning about religion.
All of GreenJade's members have other jobs, but take time to perform in schools. "We want to influence the mindsets of those on the cusp, to get the message over about making the right choices before someone picks up a knife or a gun," Wizdom said.
Judah, 34, another of the rappers, said: "Eminem and 50 Cent tell of the negative stuff and that might be their experience. But what about hearing from people who have not chosen drugs, not chosen to carry a knife?"
Reader views (7)
Thank you for your supportive responses, I can assure everyone that we are not thugs, so please judge us by our actions not our clothing. Thank you to the Evening Standard for helping to provide us with a platform!
- Greenjade, London
Thank you again GreenJade for your contribution in the effort to bring peace in the Nation. Now You can challenge the authorities(Pharaoh) about why they don't let your kind of Hip-Hop grow on TV, Radios etc?
- Patrick Cohen, London
Well done Greenjade for keeping it positive, also to the person who say thy look like muggers don't judge a book by it's cover.
- Marcus Johnson, London
Well done Greenjade.
I did an independent film on gun crime and I have attached the trailer below. For more information send me an e-mail and i'll send you a press pack. I also have the submission to the home Affairs committee on Young Black People and the criminal Justice System.
- Femi Iloyi, London
Maybe they should create a song "Hey dog... take off the hoodie, it ain't cool...". They look like muggers!
- Charlie, London
Nice one Green Jade. There are quite a few positive aka. 'conscious' hip hop groups and MC.'s out there who aren't promoting the materialistic gangsta nonsense; People such as Immortal Technique, Manage, ODC, Paris, Ras Simeon Judah, the Speakers Corner crew etc. I think the tide is turning and there will be more positive hip hop appearing.
- Simon, London
It's been done but the powerful call to mimic 'US ghetto' amongst British kids is far too strong.
- Natalia Grant, London, UK
