Shelter 2: Voices of the Beautiful Struggle
2021
EP
Digital commission for Sheltered 2 series featuring KidDave, Thirty1, Zelalem Negatu.
Trapped Inside by KidDave
“Trapped Inside is a hip-hop/rap song aimed at exposing the effects that the covid-19 lockdowns have had on the community – from the east to the west, from the north to the south. I made this song in my room; my goal was to produce a record that anyone can listen to even if they are not fond of the rap/hip-hop genre because everyone can relate. Everybody wants to go back to their normal lives but that’s been a challenge recently, although the vaccine is out, the government won’t let up at all so it’s starting to look like they just don’t want to. I created this song to capture how everybody is feeling in a short enjoyable piece of art, I’m pretty sure everyone can enjoy this, whether they like rap music or not, the lyrics are relatable and the beat produced by Kuda which uses a sample most will recognise.” — KidDave
David Chomba, vocals. Brendan Kuda, beat. Arad Kian, beat.
Monster 200 by Thirty1, Amart, Wills
“When I heard that the Shelter 2 project is collaborating with local creatives. I decided to submit the beat I made during the lockdown. As a Flemington resident who went through the lockdowns, I never imagined something like this could happen to me in my home, the place where I felt the safest from the outside world. The sample signifies how I feel about my home now. I am grateful to have an opportunity like this and be a part of this amazing project and I am grateful to MAV for giving me a platform which further allows me to express my feelings through my music.” — Thirty1
Khalid Abdi-Aziz (Thirty1), drums. Amart, melody. Wills, melody.
Netsanet by Zelalem Negatu
“The hard lockdown was a difficult and confusing time for me and triggered some bad memories and feelings from my past. I wrote this song on the second day of lockdown when I almost felt as if we wouldn’t get out alive! Netsanet (Freedom is Expensive) ነፃነት ዋጋው ውድ ነው is based on a native Ethiopian scale and captures a mix of emotions I felt – anger, sadness and loneliness. It captures the missing of human contact. It questions the meaning of freedom, the meaning of life. It’s a prayer for better days.” — Zelalem Negatu
Lyrics, drum programming, arrangement and keyboard by Zelalem Negatu. Chris Frangou, bass guitar. Jack McCarty, lead guitar. Solomon Sisay, saxaphone. Vocals, mix and master by Nhatty Man from Milo Mix.
How We Feel by TrueSoule
“The song, How we feel, came from a collective expressionist point of view from my peers and community’s experiences during last years harsh lockdown of the housing estates in Flemington and North Melbourne. It’s an honour to be apart of this project. Thank you 🙌🏾” — TruSoule
Producer Statement
Trapped Inside, Monster and How We Feel were produced by Prolific Studio.
“I’ve started Prolific Studio so I can assist in nourishing the amazing talent Melbourne youth have to offer musically. The 9 towers lockdown was a devastating time for our community. Witnessing the injustice and inhuman way our people were treated. This has brought so much anxiety within our community. When MAV gave me the opportunity to curate and produce an EP compilation for the Shelter 2 project, it was a great honour to be able to work with a group of talented and resilient young people who experienced the effects of this lockdown. Especially as a past Flemington housing estate resident, this project was very close to my heart. We have a long way to go to repair the damage made. However I’m a true believer that art can open dialogue and begin the healing that we all need.”
– Khaled Abdulwahab , Prolific Studio founder.