Participants in the popular Hip Hop 101 program contributed 11 original songs recorded at the centre’s Banksia Beats music studio to a compilation CD.
The 2023 WA Music Award winner for Best Indigenous Act, Flewnt, (Josh Eggington) – along with fellow rappers Optamus (Scott Griffiths) and Rush (Te Hiiritanga Wepiha) – conduct a hip hop and lyric writing program with the young people.
The program offers multiple sessions throughout the week at Banksia Hill.
Participants choose to either write their lyrics in private, in their units, or to freestyle on the spot in Banksia Hill’s purpose-built studio.
‘Banksia Beats Volume 2’ was mixed and mastered offsite by Optamus, who has been running the hip hop program at Banksia Hill for six years.
Music is one of a suite of therapeutic and recreational programs made available at Banksia Hill as a source of enrichment for detainees.
“The hip hop sessions allow young people to express themselves creatively and explore their Culture under the mentorship of role models,” Department of Justice Director General Adam Tomison said.
“Music and other expressive arts also support engagement, prevention and treatment of health and mental health conditions among adolescents,” Dr Tomison said.
Flewnt performed with his 11-year-old rapper son INKABEE at a CD launch event at Banksia Hill along with detainee musicians. Special guests at the event included WA hip hop star Drapht.
“I wanted to be able to contribute to young people being able to tell their stories, but also maybe harness a bit more of that cultural level, connect as a blackfella as well,” the Noongar Wongi man said.
“They really are pouring their hearts out in these songs and they genuinely mean what they say. They're saying it because they've had a time in their life where they've been reflecting so deeply.”
Optamus said the hip hop program had a strong track record at Banksia Hill and always had a long waiting list of young people wanting to participate.
“We're able to dig a little deeper and develop an authentic relationship with these young people that have been through some pretty tough times and are looking sometimes at how they can change their lives,” he said.
“It's about the young people being able to express themselves, reflect on the past, think about their hopes for the future, and do it in a supportive manner.”
Rush said: “You need facilitators who understand the environment and circumstances that resulted in the young people being here.
“This is what makes our program special. We speak their language.”
Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce said the current environment at Banksia Hill made it possible for young people to take part in a wide range of activities like Banksia Beats along with regular education.
“Bolstering of staff numbers and progressive implementation of the new model of care have led to a reduction in critical incidents and significantly improved out-of-cell hours for detainees,” Commissioner Royce said.
