GLOBAL AWARENESS THROUGH HIP HOP CULTURE PROGRAM
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Acclaimed Producer Apollo Brown Gives Back to Youth through School-Based Hip Hop Program



Hip Hop artist inspires high school students through the power of music.

Los Angeles, California /January 20, 2011 -- Detroit-based producer Apollo Brown is giving his time to the students of the Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program, the nation's first full time educational Hip Hop program for middle and high school students.  Since 2006, the Los Angeles program has been using Hip Hop culture and Rap music as a medium to helps students develop a sense of global awareness and critical thinking skills.

In early December 2010, program founder Sebastien Elkouby gave his students the task of writing lyrics to random Hip Hop instrumentals found on Youtube. As a fan of Apollo Brown, Elkouby recommended some of the producer's music to his students.  They reacted so enthusiastically that Elkouby decided to contact Apollo and his team to let them know that a group of students almost 2000 miles away was writing to his music.  Elkouby didn't expect the response.  "Apollo's team offered to have him reach out to the students through Skype," he says.  "Apollo reached out to me personally and provided me with more instrumentals to give students.  We decided to have the students use their Christmas break to finish writing and prepare to perform their songs for him via Skype. The students are extremely excited."  Elkouby adds, "Hip Hop artists are often negatively portrayed in the mainstream media.  Apollo proves that artists give back when given the opportunity to do so.  Hopefully, the media can show the positive side of Hip Hop."

As for his involvement with the program, Apollo Brown says, "When I first heard about the program I thought it was unbelievable that Hip Hop was being taught in the schools. I was also extremely excited that my music was being used as part the curriculum. It actually gave me inspiration and a certain encouragement that real Hip Hop has a chance with the younger listeners.  I'm definitely eager to talk with the students and learn how my music has affected them in any way and can't wait to hear what each student was inspired to write. I just want them to be open to all kinds of music and not just what they hear on the radio and/or see on TV. Being well rounded is important, even within a specific genre."

The Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture program is currently in its 5th year.  Apollo Brown's Skype session is schedule to take place by the end of January 2011.

About Apollo Brown

Apollo Brown is Detroit'sgo-to Hip Hop producer.  Having worked with indie rap royalty like Little Brotherand Black Milk, Apollo's recent production work on highly acclaimed album, Gas Mask, is his latest offering.   For more information about Apollo Brown, contactDan Friedman at dan@audibletreats.com or 718-768-7275.  Apollo Brown can be found on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/ApolloBrown
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AWARD-WINNING EDUCATIONAL HIP HOP PROGRAM COMES BACK TO A LOS ANGELES HIGH SCHOOL AFTER A ONE YEAR HIATUS

Amidst L.A.’s Troubled School System, Hip Hop Program Focusing on Music and Social Studies is Given Another Chance.

Los Angeles, California, September, 2010 – The Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program, which was cut in 2009, has returned to Los Angeles after a year-long absence.  Offered at a charter school in South Los Angeles since 2006, it is one of the only educational Hip Hop program in the nation offered as a regular class to high school students.  Sebastien Elkouby created this class to address the educational crisis that affects about 50 percent of inner-city students across the U.S. 

Elkouby says, "For a variety of reasons, many students feel completely disconnected from the traditional educational process.  This class uses Hip Hop culture as a medium to develop global awareness and critical thinking while teaching them language arts, social studies, and life skills.”  Former student A. Dominguez says, "Taking this class has made me realize how much I have changed as an individual and has given me the hope to pursue my wildest dreams.  Everyone should be able to participate in such a life changing experience!"

In early 2009, the National Society of High School Scholars selected Elkouby as “Educator of Distinction”, a testament to the program’s effectiveness and impact on students.  He says, “While the award didn’t prevent the class from being cut, the time off turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I was able to improve the curriculum I had used since 2006.” 

During his hiatus, Elkouby also maintained his on-going role as Hip Hop Education ambassador by meeting with musicians, educators, and nonprofit professionals from North Africa and the Middle East, invited by the U.S. Department of State, to look at how music can engage youth.  “Over the last three years, I have been requested by the International Visitors Council of L.A. to meet with educators from all around the world to exchange ideas. This most recent group was extremely inspiring and solidified the importance of Hip Hop education.” Elkouby says.

Many schools in Los Angeles are interested in offering the program to their students but are limited by an ever-shrinking budget. Still, Elkouby is hopeful that entertainers and private donors will understand the effect of Hip Hop education and step in to make a difference. 

The Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program runs September 2010 through June 2011.

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Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program and Red Bull Big Tune Join Forces

During the last week of May 2010, The Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program teamed up with Red Bull Big Tune and YPI’s after school program to bring Hip Hop music to the students of the Accelerated School.  This week -long series of activities began with a school based beat battle between acclaimed producers Vitamin D and Jake One, followed by Hip Hop production workshops for middle/high school students.  A selected group of students were invited to attend the culminating event, L.A.’s  6th Annual Red Bull Big Tune Producer’s Battle, hosted by Vitamin D and Jonathan Moore, and featuring legendary Hip Hop Icon DJ Premier and Nottz.  Red Bull Big Tune donated 100% of the event’s proceeds (from the door) to the school’s Hip Hop production program. 



Students hang out with producer Vitamin D

The Global Awareness through Hip Hop Program would like to thank Red Bull Big Tune for this amazing opportunity that students will never forget!

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Groundbreaking Educational Hip Hop Program Ready to Expand

More schools are voicing their interest in offering educational Hip Hop program to their students.

Los Angeles, California, January 11, 2010 -- A unique educational Hip Hop program offered at a public charter school in South Los Angeles is now set to expand to other schools and colleges. The Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program has been taught by its creator, Sebastien Elkouby, since 2006, and is one of the only educational Hip Hop programs in the country being offered as a regular class to middle and high school students.

Elkouby, founder of the Urban Youth Empowerment Foundation, an organization which uses Hip Hop culture as a tool for youth empowerment, created this program to address the educational crisis that affects more than 50 percent of inner-city students. With similar statistics observed in many cities across the nation, it became clear that a new approach was needed to reach low performing students.

Elkouby says, "For a variety of reasons, many students feel completely disconnected from the traditional educational process and ultimately give up.  This program helps students develop a sense of global awareness and critical thinking skills by using Hip Hop to analyze social issues, while simultaneously teaching students language arts, social studies, career development, and life skills.  Parents can rest assured that we focus on the positive aspects of Hip Hop culture and teach students that real Hip Hop is so much more than the negative elements promoted by mainstream media."

Former student A. Dominguez says, "Taking this class has made me realize how much I have changed as an individual and has given me the hope to pursue my wildest dreams.  Everyone should be able to participate in such a life changing experience!"

With the growing success of the program, high schools and colleges are now looking to offer this class to their students.  Elkouby adds, "This is an exciting time as educators are becoming more aware of the urgent need for innovative instructional models that can motivate students to value their education. We are looking forward to working with new schools this year and beyond."

The Global Awareness through Hip Hop Culture Program is currently available for the 2010-2011 school year.

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