Logan's Stories Through Hip Hop

First published in The Logan Reporter on August 28, 2015.

As the people of Logan City, I think it’s important we tell our own stories our way. In our languages, in our music and in the written word – even in the way we dance.

That’s the idea behind the “Logan City Hip Hop Collective” and their first hit-out this Friday night. The Collective is made up of some talented performers drawn from our community and headlined by a big national act called L-Fresh the Lion.

I’ve had the opportunity this past week or so to spend time with them before their big show at the Logan Entertainment Centre.

The stories they tell are sometimes positive, sometimes not, but always real and important and with a genuine local feel that resonates here, especially among our young people.

I grew up in this community listening to hip hop and I know it isn’t everybody’s cup of tea!

But I also know it has the potential to be a real force for understanding and a force for good.

I’m tired of people who don’t understand us telling our stories for us. This is our big chance to harness the power of music to help build a community that looks out for each other and looks after each other.

I want to thank the Collective members and the organisers – Access Community Services and Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre – for being part of it. I’m proud of everyone involved.

There’s no reason why this can’t be a big step towards Logan becoming the hip hop capital of Australia.

#logan #local