BOSTON MUSICIANS STAND UP FOR AMERICA SCORES NEW ENGLAND AND THE CITY’S AT-RISK YOUTH

On Sunday evening, May 2^nd, an intimate crowd gathered last night Upstairs at the Middle East in Cambridge for America SCORES New England’s STAND UP FOR SCORES Benefit Concert, which featured over 16 Boston-area musicians playing an eclectic mix of hip-hop, reggae, and rock.  America SCORES New England’s Education Director, Dwayne Simmons, also known as veteran rapper Dagha, headlined the event with Project Tree. Together, Dagha & Project Tree are known for their smooth reggae beats, “pure hip-hop wit, and concise lyricism.” Other performers included DJ IN N’ OUT, Sir Dilla, MC Moe Pope, and the internationally-acclaimed Agari Crew.

More than anything else, the event showcased a group of inspiring local talent who are using their art as a means to benefit the Boston community, both through their positive hip-hop narratives and their commitment to America SCORES New England’s mission. An example of this dedication was Agari Crew member Mark Merren’s response after being thanked for his participation in the event, a gesture he kindly rebuffed by stating “C’mon, now. We’ll do anything for the kids.”

These 16 performers epitomize the under-lying theme of the STAND UP FOR SCORES Benefit Concert and the creative writing curricula taught to all of SCORES’ 660 Boston public school student participants—that the voice is a powerful tool for change. Though the art of hip-hop often suffers on the academic front, where it is largely ignored as an accredited form of expression, these musicians stand as a clear reversal of negative rap stereotypes. Through their devotion to utilizing hip-hop as a means to inspire the younger generation, the STAND UP FOR SCORES musicians prove that hip-hop is a positive forum where creativity can be freely expressed and thus a vital tool for the empowerment of all youth. 

Dagha & Project Tree

 Moe Pope