ARIA nominee shows hip-hop has heart
Community-minded hip-hop artist MC Trey and her crew Foreign Heights will challenge the best names in Australian hip-hop for an Australian Recording Industry Award (ARIA) on 28 October.
MC Trey, one of Australia’s leading hip-hop artists, is probably less well known for her day job with Information and Cultural Exchange (ICE), where she shares the confidence, creativity and passion of her artform with at-risk, unemployed and disadvantaged young people.
As coordinator of the ICE Urban Music Project, Trey is getting something of a reputation for finding diamonds in the rough. Her program is helping an emerging generation of artists from Sydney’s west – who are finding voice, confidence and a new focus in Trey’s workshops. With the support of key project sponsor Vodafone Australia Foundation, over the last two years, the program has brought together young people from diverse backgrounds – Pacific Islander, Indigenous, African, Arabic among them – as well as youth-at-risk.
“Music helped me through a difficult time in my life,” says MC Trey, “so I know how powerful it can be when I’m working with other young people who are going through difficult times.”
“Hip-hop for me is about telling your own story. Lyrics are about your everyday life. So in working on lyrics with young people, we can explore and talk about their issues and struggles,” she says.
Going well beyond words, the program covers everything from writing to programming and recording, to learning about production and the music industry.
“We try to let participants find their own rhythm. When they’re learning beats and programming music, they’re also learning skills in digital media that can be used in other employment situations. And I’ve seen how powerful performing and sharing your own voice can be for self-confidence,” says Trey.
“Trey has a deep commitment to developing the skills in her community,” says ICE’s Director Lena Nahlous. “The people who come into our programs are always so excited to work hands-on with such a respected artist. She’s incredibly generous with her knowledge and experience.”
The highly successfully ICE Urban Music Project run by Trey is supported by the Vodafone Australia Foundation.
“Trey covers all aspects of hip-hop production in her courses, from writing the lyrics to producing a video clip,” says Elaine Leong of Vodafone. “She gives participants the chance to really refine their art. It can be a life-changing experience for the young people involved. All of us at the Vodafone Australia Foundation are very proud to support Trey and her work at ICE.”
Trey has released two albums, Daily Affirmations and Tapastry Tunes and entertained crowds in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and Japan. She’s performed with some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Lupe Fiasco, Common, The Fugees, Ugly Duckling, Naughty by Nature, Run DMC, Michael Franti, RZA, XZIBIT and JURASSIC5.
Foreign Heights, a collaboration of MC Trey, DJ Nick Toth and Maya Jupiter, the host of hip-hop shows on Triple J and Channel V, have been nominated for their Get Yours Remix. Foreign Heights is up against the Hilltop Hoods, Jackson Jackson, Justice and Kaos, and Bliss N Eso for the award, to be announced in a glittering televised ceremony at Acer Arena.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Finn or Anique at ICE on 02 9897 5744 or email info@ice.org.au / urbanmusic@ice.org.au
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