This song and t-shirt collab is part of "Refresh Collective’s “Stories of Struggle and Success” hip-hop project. Through this multi-age, multi-skill level project we share personal stories, celebrate our shared humanity and listen to each other better. 

Dee Jay Doc and Nate Willard collaborated with No Rulz Art, teen Classical musicians from Taiwan and the local poet, Marisol Ramos to create a unique song birthed from the experience of working together.

The drum beat was originally created by Nate Willard, teaching artist at Refresh Collective, then an amazing group of high school age classical musicians from Taiwan visited our Fresh Lab, courtesy of the Cleveland Council on World Affairs. 

Dee Jay Doc gave a hip-hop history lesson and their first experience writing their own music and recording to a hip-hop beat in the studio wearing headphones. It was an amazing cultural exchange. You’ll hear violin, cello, keys, tuba, clarinet, flute and box drum.

This Is Me

I help artists, teachers and youth leaders architect hip-hop music programs to spark change.