Young People & Lyrics: The Complex Terrain of Creative Expression

Art Not Evidence has received a small amount of funding to create a resource for youth workers, teachers and facilitators to assist them in traversing the complex terrain of young people and their creative expression today. As the campaign working to stop the misuse of rap music as evidence in criminal trials, they are aware that lack of awareness around how expressing themselves could affect them not only in daily life, but unfortunately in the criminal legal system, is a serious problem. Youth workers are in a unique position to communicate this issue to young people in a way that is both engaging and non-threatening.

A Youth Music study found that 73% of young people (those aged 16-24) found listening to, reading, or writing lyrics enables them to process difficult feelings and emotions , and 54% said helps to reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness (54%).

Many people ask us: Where is the line between keeping young people physically safe while ensuring they have space to express themselves? The truth is, there is no definitive answer. Youth culture, language, music, and style are constantly evolving—but we aim to equip practitioners with the knowledge and tools to develop their own approaches and policies around boundaries in the booth, ultimately putting young people in the strongest position for their overall safety and wellbeing.

This online learning event will create a space where youth workers, music facilitators and young people can engage in conversations to unravel complex issues and draw inspiration from trailblazers in the youth and music industry.

Please join Art Not Evidence and Art Against Knives in this upcoming to learn more, share your insights, and help shape what this new resource should include.