Professor Nuneaton will bring together the UK’s biggest hip hop talent to help struggling children

A Nuneaton teacher is on a mission to help struggling school children – using ‘hip-hop’. James Bennett, who is behind community group Reel People, is launching what he says is a campaign that aims to change education through hip-hop culture.

Graffiti artists, street artists, beat boxers, break-dancers, multi-sport teachers, a DJ and teachers of music production, photography and film production, fine art and also some well-known rappers will be turning teachers to help youth through “hip hop healing”. project.

Mr Bennett, whose community group Reel People has been behind many incredible street murals as well as festivals and events across the city, says bringing together ‘hip hop’ talent will help students struggling at school, college or university .

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“There is a huge problem with thousands of young people sitting in detention facilities across the country who find it difficult to access the curriculum because of special educational needs or circumstances at home,” he said. “This project aims to work with these children and young adults to teach them about mindset training, mindfulness, meditation and the law of attraction and help them achieve their goals so they can achieve their dreams and transform passions in sustainable work in the future. , as have all the teachers who will teach in this project.”

He has taught or mentored ‘project hip hop teachers’ including Jack Irving, who runs the big Mad Antics drum and bass nights, and Callum Constant, who is one of the UK’s best body poppers to come out in the movie Magic Mike.

Also Katie O, who is not only in Nuneaton but all over the country, as well as Chonky Beats, a top boxer who has appeared in films and TV and his crew have produced tracks with Skepta, Jae Kae and Soxs and have been on tour. with Big Nasty.

Finally, Jai Hickling, another breakdance talent, who has organized breakdance festivals with the group Reel People and has also performed with Calvin Harris, Rag and Bone man and Robbie Williams.

He said next summer he will be showcasing all the work they have done in various schools around the country and they are in talks with several main venues to put on a “monster festival” for the local community to enjoy and take part in .

Through their ‘Hip Hop Healing’ teaching style and their experience, Mr Bennett said they hope to go to schools not only in Nuneaton, but also in North Warwickshire and Tamworth. “That’s what it’s about for me. That’s where it all started 13 years ago when I put the Urban Art Clinic together with Andy Eales, which didn’t work, but the goal was always the same to get super talented people with life experiences. to go to schools.

“I’ve piloted schemes like this for many years and just people who will teach themselves sends a massive message that if you have a passion and a goal and keep working towards something every day, you can eventually get there no matter the circumstance . where you are, where you come from or what struggles you have. It’s all about changing mindsets and we have a guaranteed program to do that.”

He said the money raised from the project would be invested in free events and workshops in the community. “Our motto will always be the same – everyone teaches one – and I really think this project epitomizes people from Cambridge, Birmingham, Tamworth, Coventry and Nuneaton all coming together for the greater good,” he said.

His dream is to take it nationally: “Having gone through similar programs to make education better for all children, we really hope that the government can take a look at what we’re doing and help us implement it in all the country”.

For more information about the project either call 07976 591237 or leave a message on Reel People by James on Facebook.

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