Rapper MpFree Records 'Writers Block' Mix Tape With Young Offenders
Scottish rapper MpFree releases a special hip-hop mixtape today titled 'Writers Block', recorded in collaboration with inmates currently in incarceration. Recorded inside Polmont's Young Offenders Institution, the mixtape aims to bring fresh hope and a positive message to inmates.
Marc Pawson, aka MpFree, has been performing and developing his own brand of positive hip-hop for the past two years, including a career high that saw his 2012 EP 'Battle' reach Number 2 in the Amazon hip-hop charts.
MpFree's latest mix tape features 19 tracks and includes contributions from young men within HMYOI Polmont. The recording will be distributed to 16 prisons in Scotland to inspire inmates with a positive message.
"Hip hop as a genre gets little to no airplay on prison radio stations because most of the music glorifies money, drug abuse, substance abuse and violence", explains Marc. "My message is more about hope. I don't base my lyrics on the cliché of sex, drugs and money. They are based on life, faith and how we go about our day to day lives."
The 31-year-old visited Polmont's Inside Radio station as part of the production of 'Writers Block', delivering hip hop workshops to a group of young people, and recording them rapping about a variety of subjects close to their hearts, including fatherhood, regrets and positive changes.
"Mpfree gave his time to come and help the young men learn the art of rap, he inspired them to complete their own projects", said Rab Hayes, Officer at HMYOI Polmont. "It then dawned on all of us involved that we should get this recorded and let the world know that people from different backgrounds and different life choices can come together and deliver a high quality, entertaining and positive album."
One inmate involved in the project said, "Nobody ever thought I had talent, even me, now after working with Mpfree I can be anything I want to be, make changes in my life, be the father that my kids will be proud of."
