Copenhagen Youth Project opens its studio doors to young people from knife crime hotspots.
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North London’s Copenhagen Youth Project are using ‘drill’ music to reach young people looking for a way out of crime.
Why is drill music controversial?
Home Secretary Sajid Javid recently linked London’s rising violent crime to ‘drill music’. The youth group are challenging this idea.
Copenhagen Youth Project is a safe haven for young people in North
The genre often tells biographical stories of gang violence. Artists are seen in music videos brandishing weapons and detailing real murders in their lyrics.
As the Metropolitan Police continue to order YouTube to remove drill content, project director Stephen Griffith told City News:
“I don’t think it should be taken down. When we work with young people we’re looking for their passion, what gets them out of bed in the morning. Whatever that passion may be, that’s our hook.”
Stephen Griffith uses drill to reach out to those immersed in London’s underworld. CREDIT: Tom Sables, City News
Mr. Griffith helps young people from the centre’s bordering knife crime hotspots, Caledonian Road and Copenhagen Street.
“Whatever that passion may be, that’s our hook.”
He believes drill is a good starting point and a realistic way to first interact with those caught up in gang life.
“The reality is we take whatever we get and work with it. The [drill] genre can be dark, but that’s the music these young people are interested in when they walk through the door.
“Over time, we help them to question the message behind the lyrics.”
Danny O’Brien of Anti-Knife UK is concerned for young drill music listeners. CREDIT: Tom Sables, City News
While Stephen sees drill’s benefits in offering young criminals a way out, Danny O’Brien of Anti-Knife UK believes it still causes a net movement toward, rather than away from, violence.
“The lyrics are vicious. There’s no way it should be made possible for young children to listen to this, social media platforms need to be doing even more.”
“The lyrics are vicious”
“It definitely needs to be censored, but there are still so many factors at play,” says Mr. O’Brien.
2018 saw a blade death every five days in London, a rate matched so far this year.
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HeadlineCan ‘drill’ music help London’s knife crime youth?
Short HeadlineCan 'drill' help youth leave gangs for music?
StandfirstLocal group Copenhagen Youth Project believe the controversial genre is an invaluable way to help those involved in crime.
North London’s Copenhagen Youth Project are using ‘drill’ music to reach young people looking for a way out of crime.
Why is drill music controversial?
Home Secretary Sajid Javid recently linked London’s rising violent crime to ‘drill music’. The youth group are challenging this idea.
Copenhagen Youth Project is a safe haven for young people in North
The genre often tells biographical stories of gang violence. Artists are seen in music videos brandishing weapons and detailing real murders in their lyrics.
As the Metropolitan Police continue to order YouTube to remove drill content, project director Stephen Griffith told City News:
“I don’t think it should be taken down. When we work with young people we’re looking for their passion, what gets them out of bed in the morning. Whatever that passion may be, that’s our hook.”
Stephen Griffith uses drill to reach out to those immersed in London’s underworld. CREDIT: Tom Sables, City News
Mr. Griffith helps young people from the centre’s bordering knife crime hotspots, Caledonian Road and Copenhagen Street.
“Whatever that passion may be, that’s our hook.”
He believes drill is a good starting point and a realistic way to first interact with those caught up in gang life.
“The reality is we take whatever we get and work with it. The [drill] genre can be dark, but that’s the music these young people are interested in when they walk through the door.
“Over time, we help them to question the message behind the lyrics.”
Danny O’Brien of Anti-Knife UK is concerned for young drill music listeners. CREDIT: Tom Sables, City News
While Stephen sees drill’s benefits in offering young criminals a way out, Danny O’Brien of Anti-Knife UK believes it still causes a net movement toward, rather than away from, violence.
“The lyrics are vicious. There’s no way it should be made possible for young children to listen to this, social media platforms need to be doing even more.”
“The lyrics are vicious”
“It definitely needs to be censored, but there are still so many factors at play,” says Mr. O’Brien.
2018 saw a blade death every five days in London, a rate matched so far this year.
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