To be a teenager in America right now is complicated: not only do young people have to navigate dating, school, and finding their path in life, they also have to contend with school shootings, police brutality, political upheaval, and more. Students in The KRUNK Movement, a youth hip-hop program at the nonprofit Center of Life, know this reality first hand, and their new album, Thinking Out Loud, aims to reflect a full picture of teenage life in 2019, in all its joys and sorrows.
“Over the past year, student artists were thinking out loud about religion, spirituality, politics, mental health, history, and their own lives,” said Luc Mickens, The KRUNK Movement Program Coordinator. “On this album, you can really hear them coming into their own as young artists and thinkers.”
Instructed by professional artists, youth in The KRUNK Movement are trained to a high standard and represent the next wave of Pittsburgh music talent: students have been invited to perform at the Wheeling Arts and Culture Fest, Pittsburgh Light Up Night, and the August Wilson Birthday Celebration Block Party. Alumni of the programs include members of popular local acts such as The Commonheart, Afro Yaqui Music Collective, and Starship Mantis.
Students participating in The KRUNK Movement get the opportunity to collaborate with experienced artists from across the city and express themselves freely with the support of great mentors. The program also functions as a production company, teaching students the professionalism and technical skills necessary to succeed in the music industry.
The students involved in the creation of this album have put their hearts and souls into the music, and the final product does not disappoint. You can stream The KRUNK Movement’s new album on streaming platforms such as Spotify, Pandora and Apple Music.
About Center of Life:
Center of Life is a Pittsburgh nonprofit whose mission is to provide families and youth with the life skills, education, training, and resources necessary to be strong and to make their communities strong. Proudly rooted in the Hazelwood community, Center of Life offers after-school and summer programs focusing on the arts, fitness, educational enrichment, and family strengthening.
Pittsburgh Music Magazine 