Today, London rapper Kojey Radical announces the release of ‘Through Music We Rise’; a mini documentary featuring young musicians from Hackney that explores the powerful connection between music and community, and the importance of access to opportunities for creative self-expression. Created in collaboration with Rise 365, the film is the culmination of a grassroots mentorship programme funded by the Dr. Martens Tough As You initiative that saw Kojey return to the youth centre he attended at the start of his musical career to inspire the area’s next generation of rising talent.

“Through Music We Rise” documents the day in the life of six young musicians and was directed and produced by filmmaker and Rise 365 leader, Ade Femzo. Centred on a day in which they attended studio sessions led by industry professionals and Kojey, the mini documentary explores music as an escapism and how organisations like Rise are empowering the creative youth. Through his role as a Tough As You mentor, Kojey was able to handpick Rise 365 to take part in this year’s Dr. Martens initiative, and receive a package of support and funding to enable the organisation to provide its young people with music workshops and showcase their skills by producing and directing a mini–documentary spotlighting their journeys.

The short film will launch at a free screening and panel talk on Monday 27th June at Concorde in Homerton, which welcomes guests to open up a conversation around the importance of supporting the capital’s creative youth hubs. As part of the event, Kojey Radical will join a live panel talk alongside his Rise 365 mentees to discuss the vital role Rise 365 plays in incubating and empowering young people on the Kingsmead Estate, drawing on his own experiences attending the centre whilst growing up.

Speaking on empowering the young creatives in the film, Kojey Radical said: “You can’t beat that youthful excitement to be here – if you can give that opportunity to young people that really want it and you can see and feel that hunger that’s what it’s about. It’s inspiring for me; it’s inspiring to them and it’s only going to do good things in the long run.”

Kojey Radical’s mentorship with Rise 365 is the second of his music projects being funded and supported by Dr. Martens, as part of its ongoing Tough As You initiative; with the East London rapper previously returning to Hoxton Hall to [few words on HH project]. United by a collective mission to help create a more diverse, inclusive and accessible music industry for the next generation of talent, the Dr. Martens has enlisted the expertise of Kojey Radical and Mahalia to help accelerate the ascent of underrepresented artists, collectives and grassroots organisations via a range of support, including one-to-one industry guidance, financial assistance and help with realising their creative visions. The Tough As You initiative is an extension of the brand’s longstanding commitment to empowering progressive communities and its endeavours to support grassroots talent, which this year’s projects including a West Midlands artist development programme led by Mahalia and Madi Saskia.

To attend the event, please register interest by emailing: [email protected]