The British DJ & MC Academy is a fresh, innovative, youth arts social enterprise that has been set up since February 2008, starting from an eight-week course with just five students. Now, more than 2,000 young people have now been involved and the Academy is having an impact on the estates and communities of the streets of London.

DJ Trickles (Krissy Simms) & Lady MC (Kerry O’Brien), both award nominees and artists for fourteen years, who have hosted their own radio show on the award winning Kool FM started the Academy. They worked together for five years and decided to set-up the academy to help other young artists who find it hard to get into the business. As the organisation developed, the duo realised that music was a huge engagement tool to capture young people who may be at risk from negative activities and going down the wrong path. They music to guide young people back into education, training or simply by offering positive activities to express emotions and to be used as a positive channel deterring reactive behaviour and attitudes.

The academy is now working in partnership with two colleges, the top three housing associations in the UK, seven boroughs across London and over ten youth organisations and charities targeting young people aged 11-25 of all ethnic backgrounds, who are not in education or training. Youth can take part in workshops and accreditations up-to BTEC and NVQ Level 4. The courses offered range from radio presenting, music production, positive lyrical writing to drama and dance workshops.

The Academy is unique because we guarantee on-going support in any area of young people’s lives through partnership organisations, who work as referrals to offer sustainability using the courses as a stepping stone. The academy is supported by KAM and RWD Magazine, which offer free materials for the young people and features in the magazine. In return, people perform at their events such as the Plasa Exhibition 2008 and Notting Hill Carnival.

http://www.djandmcacademy.com/