Supreme MCs Rule is an expressive music arts program using hip-hop culture and music to engage elementary, middle and high school students, addressing inner emotions, life situations and conflict resolution skills. The goal is for youth to reflecton past experiences and current life situations by connecting with hip hop lyrics, using them to discover a new talent, increasing their self-worth. Sessions are based around topics addressing inner emotions and various ways of expression, releasing suppressed emotions that often lead to lower school achievement, violence, depression and even teen suicide. Guests from the local music and performing arts community will be invited to be guests in the class for a well-rounded spectrum of learning.
Hip-Hop is used as a gateway of expression to start the process of learning how to manifest their emotions in a positive manner. Students can be at any level of proficiency to participate in classes, as the focus is not as much on skill, but on the creative process and the emotional and cognitive benefits that stem from it. In the creation process, the students start to value their emotions and thoughts as an artistic tool, rather than a vehicle leading to less positive outcomes. Teens often feel they are the only ones going through issues, which can feel insurmountable. By sharing common issues, this also creates a bonding between students, letting youth know they are not alone – while producing finished works of art they can be proud of.