Narrogin High School students in the Clontarf Academy wrote and performed an original song with Zero Emcee

A never-before-offered opportunity enabled Narrogin High School students in the Clontarf Academy to write, perform, and produce an original rap song with a national artist. Eight Narrogin High School students in the Clontarf Academy worked alongside music artist Zero Emcee and the WA Youth Jazz Orchestra to create an original rap song from August 27 to 30. Initiated by Arts Narrogin, a massive community collaboration between Holyoake, Moorditj Youth Foundation Aboriginal Corporation, and Narrogin High School facilitated the songwriting workshop to teach the boys diverse and creative future pathways, community and cultural engagement, and healthy emotional expression. Taylym Farmer, Xavier Turner, Jet Fisher, Elias McPhersin and Robert Galuin performed their song with Zero and WAYJO at the Narrogin Town Hall on August 30 at 6.30pm to about 100 audience members. Mr Farmer said he had written lyrics for about two years to get things off his chest and this opportunity “has given boys the motivation needed to do the thing they love the most”. “Music is a big thing for my crew and to have experience in making words up on the spot and a song that hopefully will be remembered for years to come, I find that unbelievable,” he said. “Before meeting Zero I didn’t think he would’ve connected to us boys as much as he did, my expectations were surpassed. “Performing the song wasn’t all that bad because I knew I had support from the people I was on stage with and we’d practised beforehand so my case of stage fright was nowhere to be found.” Zero said watching the boys in the workshop was like seeing a butterfly “spread their wings”. “When I grew up I didn’t have many role models, so I wanted to be that role model,” Zero said. “The one rule for the workshop was to keep them positive about community because it will take you further once you start writing positively. “There’s a young brother who’s only come to school once this year and since me being here doing this workshop he’s come three days now, so I think it’s definitely doing something for the community and the mob at the same time. “I hope it’s an inspiration for them, especially the young brothers, there’s a lot of young brothers who can rap and I hope it helps them find their identity.”