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November 17, 2007
Sanchez gives hope to the youth of Standpipe
Reggae singer Sanchez is definitely on a mission. And it is one that could very well be called Project Standpipe. It's all about the empowerment of the youth through music, and many persons who are close to the singer have expressed the view that this project is now Sanchez' guiding light.
Always in demand to do recordings and stage shows around the world, Sanchez recently took a little time to really chill out in the section of Liguanea, known as Standpipe. While there, he convene an informal musical conference with the youth of the area, and, as expected, the feedback was excellent. They all agreed that music was an important influence and they would welcome the opportunity to get involved with any musical project spearheaded by Sanchez.
For starters, weekly talent shows were staged to unearth the potential rising stars. The talent that emerged from the community was awesome and the youth were so grateful for the opportunity that they came
out in their numbers to audition.
"When I realized that there was so much talent here, I just decided to chill and put the effort into building a studio right here in the community and play my part in uplifting the youth," Sanchez said in an
interview with Yardflex.
And so Project Standpipe was born, thus giving hope to youth who would perhaps otherwise have joined gun-toting gangs to wreak havoc on the society.
The singer bemoaned the fact that crime statistics indicate that many of the murders and other heinous crime that are being committed are done by young boys.
"Bwoy, as a father (with two sons) I feel that something has to be done to save these youngsters. I know that exposing them to music giving them something to do, will keep them focused and uplifted. All of them won't be singers and deejays, but they can be engineers, producers and song-writers and from what I see, they have the talent to do it. These youngsters, if given a chance, can really make
something positive out of their lives and turn away from guns and drugs," Sanchez said passionately.
Declaring that the gun culture has already destroyed the lives of too many youths, Sanchez pointed out that Project Standpipe has impacted on his life in a positive way and has caused him to do a serious
reality check.
"This is about the youngsters, but in another sense it is also about Sanchez. Working with these youths have made me a better person, more aware of my responsibilities and the fact that they are looking to me as an example and therefore I have to be conscious and set the right example," the singer, christened Kevin Jackson, said soberly.
Among the artistes now recording on Sanchez' Sanmonik label are Chaos, Jah Vince, Stream, Hotta Man and the Crew and Genius. For them, this is the opportunity of a lifetime and they all expressed their gratitude to the singer who they all declare "is like a Faada."