Thug Life Army

Local community organization Justice by Uniting In Creative Energy (J.U.I.C.E.) has been selected to participate in a Youth Urban Arts Exchange in Stuttgart, Germany this summer; First Ever Hip-Hop Exchange. Fifteen youth from J.U.I.C.E. Los Angeles will visit Stuttgart August 15-28, while fourteen youth urban artists from German hip-hop organization Rap Present are in Los Angeles from July 18-30.

Sponsorships and support from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and Daimler Chrysler in Stuttgart made this exchange possible.

"The main premise of the exchange goes beyond sharing our two cities. We will be creating and documenting an international dialogue around Hip Hop, Youth, Media and Violence as it is perceived and experienced in our distinct countries and communities", said Monica X. Delgado, Executive Director of J.U.I.C.E. "We are proud to celebrate and share the diverse talents of Los Angeles'' Bboys and Bgirls, Graffiti Artists, Deejays and Emcees with like minded youth in Germany." The program will include joint workshops, performances and roundtable discussions in both countries facilitated by local scholars and artists. The documented results will be edited into a short documentary and presented at public forums in both Los Angeles and Stuttgart.

J.U.I.C.E. – LOS ANGELES

Justice by Uniting In Creative Energy (J.U.I.C.E.), a hip-hop focused community center, was founded in 2001 in Los Angeles . The concept emerged from work with high-risk youth in shelters, schools, and juvenile hall.

Every Thursday hip hop aficionados meet to practice their skills and kick it with like-minded people. There, young artists have free access to the facilities, equipment, and training necessary to develop and expand their skills in b-boying (break-dancing), graffiti art, deejaying, emceeing and music production–known as the four elements of hip-hop–as well as in music recording, beat-making and producing in a safe environment lead by a staff of seasoned LA hip-hop veterans. Attendees range from all ages, the average between 18–21.

Over the last year, J.U.I.C.E. has co-organized a Hip Hop Film Festival, a conference on Hip Hop and Education, as well as numerous roundtable discussions on hip hop themes.

This will be the first ever international hip hop exchange for J.U.I.C.E. – and the first time out of the country for many of the fifteen participants.

RAP PRESENT - STUTTGART

Rap Present is an honorary youth initiative committed to organizing events in the hip hop scene including a Hip Hop Film Festival and various hip hop exchanges all over Europe.

Last year, they organized a public discussion called "Graffiti=Art?". It took place at the new museum of art, which was built after the city destroyed the informal Graffiti Hall of Fame to build a formal art museum. The event included a live graffiti show outside, a discussion with different guests inside, an exhibition and auction of art works. Funds raised from the auction were given to support the book: "Sprüher im Rudel", which documents the history of the graffiti art movement in Stuttgart.

Rap Present operates mainly in Stuttgart , however, in the future, they hope to expand to other cities and countries too.

COLLABORATIVE  PERFORMANCE – JULY 27

J.U.I.C.E. is proud to present its third annual "Danger Room: Justice 4 All Elements," an event that seeks to bring the four elements of Hip Hop together under one roof. The event will include a Bonnie & Clyde Style (co-ed) Break Dance Battle, a Graffiti Art Exhibition and Sketch Book Competition, a DJ Showcase, featuring DJs Milagro and Kenzo , an Emcee performance featuring J.U.I.C.E.'s own Tiger vs Crane, Dumbfoundead and Open Mike Eagle as well as emcees from Germany Ty-56, Kodimey and BennySAN. . All ages are welcome for a suggested donation of seven dollars. All funds will be used to support J.U.I.C.E.'s weekly hip-hop programming for all ages every Thursday from 4PM–9PM.

This event will be held on Thursday, July 27 at J.U.I.C.E. which is located at 2936 West 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA  90005. 

More information at www.rampartjuice.com / www.rap-present.de