A group of San Quentin inmates, who were sentenced to life as youth, use rap to raise awareness of youth life sentences. As the arrest rate of juvenile offenders continues to rise due to violent crimes, law enforcement agencies respond by proposing gang injunctions and stiffer sentences. While on the other hand, the San Quentin juvenile lifer’s group (Kid Creating Awareness Together) C.A.T., uses conscious lyrics to send a message to law enforcement and to the youth in the streets.
Open up, open up your eyes/ become aware of how juveniles are dehumanized/ no ones concerned, no one cares, no one hears their cries / one mistake, one poor decision then we take their lives/
Gary “Malachi” Scott, a member of the juvenile lifers’ group, said, “I think the main message of this rap is that our youth who committed a serious felony can be rehabilitated and reintegrated back into society successfully. One horrible decision by a youth offender does not define who he is. It just shows that he needs help and proper guidance.”
In an interview with two group members, they made these comments:
Do you think that youngsters on the streets will listen to this rap when gangsta rap produced by the latest big time producer is what attracts their attention?
Antoine “Aziz” Brown responded: “If given the opportunity, not only will they listen, but they will be inspired to hear these profound lyrics coming from youth actually affected by the law that condemns juveniles to life in prison. This rap was produced from passion and a need to be felt and heard. So it’s not about competition, its about being treated justly and fairly.”
So what do you plan to accomplish with your socially conscious message?
Vinny Nguyen, a member of the group, stated, “Our message is that we want the public and law makers to place the juvenile justice system under the microscope. Trying juveniles as adults, if they would look closer, is not the answer.”
“The juvenile lifers group is comprised of young men who as teens were sentenced as adults. As juvenile sentencing continues to get stiffer, this group saw the need to speak out on this issue. They draw from their experiences as they use their talents of poetic prose to speak to the urban youth culture. They believe that socially conscious rap can influence the minds of youth and deter them from committing crimes.”