Hip hop program 'You're Write' gives Tasmanian youth a voice

In Tasmania, a new initiative is empowering young people to find their voice through the art of hip hop. The "You're Write" program offers free, fortnightly workshops for individuals aged 12 to 25, utilizing hip hop writing as a powerful tool for self-expression. Spearheaded by local artist and youth worker Kieran Lonergan, also known as 'Kiz,' the program provides a platform for participants to articulate their experiences, emotions, and life journeys through lyrics. Fifteen-year-old Befiker shared how songwriting has enabled him to convey his feelings and life's "ups and downs" to others, stating, "I just want to put it out there so people can understand what's happened." Lonergan, who uses hip hop writing himself to process "heavy experiences" from his youth, emphasizes its role in opening up dialogue. "Oftentimes I'd start writing music and then all of a sudden quite heavy experiences that happened when I was younger that would come out in the lyrics," he explained. Funded by Arts Tasmania and Lonergan's business SEVENTHREE, "You're Write" aims to fill a crucial gap in youth support services in the state. The workshops not only focus on developing writing skills, recording music, and performance practice but also foster a consistent, safe environment for connection and mentoring. Lonergan, who grew up in Tasmania, noted the "lack of opportunity" in the region, which he believes can lead to negative environments for young people. He expressed a wish for such a program to have been available during his own youth, recalling a feeling of needing to "constantly have my guard up" and being unable to "express who I truly was." The program's focus on self-expression is seen as a vital alternative to seeking external validation, particularly for young people facing challenges. Having worked in the community sector for eight years, Lonergan is keenly aware of the issues confronting youth, including rising rates of youth crime. He argues that addressing the root causes through support programs, rather than solely relying on increased policing, is essential. "There's a reason why young people are doing these things; it's not because you wake up and that's just the way that you are," Lonergan stated, advocating for supportive interventions over punitive measures.

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It's just a story of how my life's been going [these] past two years, ups and downs. I just want to put it out there so people can understand what's happened.