Raps and Poetry by Young People in Foster Care

The Rap Master Classes with Ric Flo This is a multi-media book with music, writing, pictures and film.

Click on the link next to this symbol for your multi-media experience!

How did the Rap Master Classes Come about ?

The Five Rivers National Youth Council asked the Board of Directors for some funding to get involved, get creative and learn the art of music writing and rapping with the care experienced artist and rapper Ric Flo. Ric uses rap to empower children living in the care system by telling his story in foster care and using his life experience to help them unleash their creativity.

As the creative director, and one third of the signed hip-hop collective Jungle Brown (Mr Bongo), Ric Flo is no stranger to the UK rap scene. Ric is using music and creativity to empower a community of young people by delivering ‘Art of Rap’ workshops across the UK to connect and inspire.

Ric’s single ‘Do You’ showcases this explicitly; and was one of ‘BBC Introducing’ songs for March 2019, played by likes of Twin B, A Dot, Mim Shaikh, Yasmin Evans and Huw Stephens.

Growing up in foster care, the creative arts became a therapeutic medium of introspection and selfexpression. His debut album, ‘A Boy Called Ric’, is a reflective journey about his life in foster care and has resonated strongly with the undervalued community. In this new chapter, Ric wants to continue to inspire his community but also connect with the wider masses in a new way.

Ric Flo recently discovered that superheroes are often fostered, adopted or orphans and he wants to use this powerful archetype to change the narrative of the underdog within popular culture.

The past year (2019) saw Ric drop singles consistently to cement his name in the game. His personal experiences have given him the power and resilience to take his music into the next level and make a mark in popular culture.

Ric travelled to London and Doncaster and recorded several tracks. Around 40 of our young people have taken part in sessions with Ric. They learned how to use recording equipment as well as to compose or perform their rap. Others experimented with drums and keyboard. The greatest skill was learning how to write a rap and find a beat and melody to match their style.

Every time you see the ‘play’ symbol you can click on the link next to it and listen to the music tracks.

Ric says; “Since creating a solo album about my experience in foster care, I’ve found music to be a powerful tool to help other young people know that, regardless of their past, they can make a positive future.”

are elements and we don’t stop

Be kind and watch your ops,

okay okay,

We are elements and we don’t Fortnite is fun, I’m a game stop okay okay leader, I’m a reader, Be kind and watch your ops, I’m a leader, my Mum I need okay okay her, We are elements and we don’t Be what you want to be, do stop what you want to do We were happy before foster 8 years in the system, they care, can’t get me but now I know how to love and My life, my show, this is my energy, they say I have changed share Be kind and watch your ops, we But it’s for the better But listen yea, I’m stronger than are elements and we don’t stop Be kind and watch your ops, we ever are elements and we don’t stop I’m stronger than ever Listen yea, I don’t try, your I’m stronger than ever hair now looks like a night tic I’m stronger than ever My Dad thought you were No role models to protect me smart, but soon changed when from the world Stood on my feet, I had to pro- I started to violate See the ops, jumped out of the tect myself whip So just a result, why did you My dad thought he had been leave But the world is my oyster and punished His attitude soon started to is bringing my peace change, when I started to see And is bringing my peace blood And is bringing my peace Be kind and watch your ops, we And is bringing my peace Be kind and watch your ops, we are elements and we don’t stop are elements and we don’t stop Be kind and watch your ops, we Be kind and watch your ops, we are elements and we don’t stop

‘Be Kind’

Enjoy your life, make the most of every opportunity

Life only comes once, don’t let anyone tell you what to do Do everything the way you want it to be done Just remember enjoy your life, and make the most of every opportunity Be kind and watch your ops, we are elements and we don’t stop Be kind and watch your ops, we are elements and we don’t stop I came from a bad background, then found I had to fight for my life, Didn’t let anyone in, didn’t trust anyone with my life Came by fighting hard, now look where I am now Now look where I am now Now look where I am now Now look where I am now Okay okay

Be Kind

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or follow this link: https://vimeo.com/397189097

Dreams Dreams, good ones, Bad ones Who can decide?

But each little bad one kills me inside Not a lot of people cared, nobody was there Now my life has changed and support I have gained Chorus Always safe and snug always warm Now I dare to trust Now I dare to care Now I know someone is there As I ambled through the grass I had a vision from the past I pushed it to the side And I began to glide Up with the wind I flew And then I knew That I was safe from you

Chorus Always safe and snug always warm Now I dare to trust Now I dare to care Now I know someone is there And now I’m happy in foster care I’ve got my new loving family there I’ve got my future planned My dreams to achieve My battles to defeat I will succeed Chorus Always safe and snug always warm Now I dare to trust Now I dare to care Now I know someone is there

Dreams

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or follow this link: https://vimeo.com/397209969

This piece of instrumental music was written and devised by young people.

Feel It

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or follow this link: https://vimeo.com/397179929

Knowledge of self No violence This is Hype House Tribute to Koby Care Day 2020 We know who it is New mix tape Mad Chorus x2 Your health is your wealth You got to stay stealth We all need help Just knowledge of self Sadness such a lonely place Without you I don’t where to begin Come to my hood Everybody’s good - No way Friends swinging swinging Come on my block I’m winning Just got my cake up Ain’t got time for a shape up Running back to the paper Mixtape madness i’m Makin’ amends Makin’ amends K-10 Thats why these opps dash Thats why these opps dash No way man Exit Get kicked out like Brexit Come to my crib

You know what it is Eating ribs and chips – crispy lips Chorus Your health is your wealth You got to stay stealth We all need help Just knowledge of self Sadness such a lonely place, such a lonely place.

Its RO I’m a mad stepper Come energy you should know better I’m just trying to get from A to B You just wait and see Don’t step with the T G guys Don’t want to hear Ops Don’t wanna hear lies Your can tell by rush you are not one of us I need a penguin Like Keesh or Becks - Keesh or Beccy I scored 21 goals this season I feel like Mo Salah But the energy come from Mo Farrah (bridge) Don’t be afraid to stick up for yourself Be comfortable with yourself

Don’t compare yourself to other people Don’t worry about being different

Chorus x2 Your health is your wealth You got to stay stealth We all need help Just knowledge of self Sadness such a lonely place Without you I don’t where to begin We is the hot steppa the flo-peppa I wear my heart on my sleeve but don’t let it fade like henna No need to feel under the weather ‘Cause we know better, better, better Hype House and Five Rivers and Ric Star, we deliver Chorus Your health is your wealth You got to stay stealth We all need help Just knowledge of self Sadness such a lonely place Without you I don’t where to begin Stay safe

Knowledge Of Self

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or follow this link: https://vimeo.com/392708010

For more information on how you can get involved in more projects like this, have your voice heard and help us to improve things for other children in fostered or residential care, like you.

Please contact: Participation@five-rivers.org or visit www.five-rivers.org or visit our online media platform https://issuu.com/fiveriverschildcare