Teen rappers’ warning

Teen rappers’ warning

26 March 2014

THREE teenagers have used an alternative education programme in Downpatrick to record a rap song warning about the dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.

Sixteen year-olds Abbie Crumley and Kallum O’Brien, from Downpatrick, and 15 year-old Thomas Darragh, from Ballywalter, spent weeks putting together the lyrics and music for their recording Gotta Be Free.

They launched the song at the Alternative Education Centre at Saul Street on Thursday and are hoping it will be sold through iTunes to make money for a charity of their choice.

The students are taking a year out of mainstream education to attend the Alternative Education Centre, which is run by the South Eastern Education and Library Board to provide an alternative to mainstream schooling.

The centre provides opportunities for one-to-one tuition to 15 students between the ages of 14 and 16 each academic year.

The children avail of a range of courses based on their abilities including essential skills courses, GCSEs, Prince’s Trust and Duke of Edinburgh schemes and IT tuition.

Abbie, Callum and Thomas recorded their rap as part of an eight week programme arranged by the charity ASCERT, which raises awareness about the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse.

The project included the production of a CD in a professional recording studio and the teenagers are hoping it will help others make good choices in the future if faced with the temptation to misuse alcohol or drugs.