Hip-Hop Artists help former educator spin positive messages through Rap Music
MeeWee Entertainment has released a children’s album entitled “MeeWee: Hip-Hop for Kids.” MeeWee’s music differentiates itself from other children’s hip-hop projects through its educational platform, already tested extensively in classrooms across the country.
“My favorite MeeWee song is ‘I Can Be Anything’ because it makes me feel like I can be anything I want when I grow up!” states Andrew, 8 yrs old, St. Paul’s Elementary, Ramsey, NJ.
Due to the enthusiastic response to MeeWee by kids and teachers across the country, the album’s creators are now making MeeWee available for FREE download to all teachers, camp counselors and dance instructors exclusively through www.meewee.com, which also contains lesson plans and educational activities.
“MeeWee’s objective is to increase children’s love of learning by harnessing the power of hip-hop music in an educational context,” says former teacher Daniel Klein, Co-founder of MeeWee, “Children love to create and MeeWee encourages them to express themselves.”
Educators say they love to bring MeeWee music into their classrooms because the kids just can’t get enough of it. “I find MeeWee music to be incredibly energetic for our young children and I now consider it an integral part of our curriculum,” says Samara Kaufman, Jumpstart site manager in Brooklyn, NY.
Veronica Valentino, teacher at Lowell Elementary School in Teaneck NJ, says “We use the songs in our first grade class and the children’s creativity is sparked. They become songwriters, and write lyrics to the MeeWee beats.”
MeeWee Co-founder Perry Landesberg, Executive Producer of the Lyricist Lounge CD series and MTV’s Lyricist Lounge TV Show has worked on past projects involving artists such as De La Soul, Black-Eyed Peas, The Roots, Erykah Badu and Mos Def. He says, “We are very excited about our ability to provide teachers with uplifting, positive music that helps boost kids’ self esteem and motivation to learn.”
The new album, MeeWee: Hip-Hop for Kids features artists like Divinity, a bassist for Beyonce Knowles; Keith Middleton, of the international hit musical Stomp; and Michael Viera, AKA ‘Baby Power’. “I wish I had MeeWee music in school when I was growing up. The beats and rhymes are so catchy and entertaining, you can’t stop dancing and singing along,” says multi-platinum selling recording artist Sean Kingston.
MeeWee bridges the gap between urban and children’s entertainment creating music that is cross-cultural and accessible to a wide age range (grades K through 6). MeeWee’s diverse set of lovable characters, such as Jabari Jones, Flutterby, and Jenny Guitara also enliven the music and help convey messages to the children such as hope, compassion, and empowerment.
Parents also think MeeWee is a hit. “My kids love MeeWee. It opens up their channels for creative thought,” Jason Shemesh, M.D., father, Tampa, FL.
The album is available for purchase through online retailers like iTunes, Amazon and eMusic. For samples of MeeWee music, information about the MeeWee characters, and MeeWee merchandise visit: www.meewee.com.