Bridge DA Gap Youth Empowerment Concert Lesson Plan

Goal: To use music, videos, and the performing arts to influence social-emotional challenges faced by today's youth positively.

• Objective 1: To introduce youth to the concepts of patience, self-determination, peer pressure, values, perseverance and goal attainment. • Objective 2: To describe some of the coping skills youth can use when faced with tough choices and challenges in at-risk environments. Grade Level: 6th-12th grade

Georgia Standards of Excellence for Fine Arts

Middle School: MA6.CN.1; MA6.CN.2; MA7.CN.1; MA7.CN.2; MA8.CN1; and MA8.CN.2.

High School: MAHS.CN.1 Relate artistic ideas and works with societal, cultural, and historical context to deepen understanding. a. Demonstrate and explain how media artworks and ideas relate to various contexts, purposes, and values (e.g. social trends, power, equality, personal/cultural identity). b. Critically evaluate and effectively interact with legal, technological, systemic, and vocational contexts of media arts, considering ethics, media literacy, social media, virtual worlds, and digital identity.

MAHS.CN.2 Synthesize and relate knowledge and personal experiences to make art. a. Synthesize internal and external resources to inform the creation of media works by accessing relevant resources (e.g. interests, cultural experiences, introspection, research, exemplary works). b. Expand connections and demonstrate the use of media artworks to derive new meaning, gain knowledge, and create cultural experiences.

Required Materials and Equipment: The concert is self-contained with backing tracks and its state-of-the-art sound and light package. The performance is adaptable, but a stage with a microphone system is preferable. 1100 Peachtree St. NE, Suite #200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Phone & Fax: 888-249-0427 www.bridgedagap.org [email protected] meaning, gain knowledge, and create cultural experiences.

Anticipatory Set (5 minutes): Crowd participation featuring dancers Direct Instruction: Concert Components 1. Khao appears and youth are introduced to Khao’s computer: India. 2. Youth shown Bridge DA Gap Intro Video (See Attachment A). 3. Khao performs an interactive talk segment about the unconscious effects of one’s environment upon their behavior. 4. What If song performance by Khao about facing fears and not giving into failure (See Attachment B). 5. ATL (edited movie scene): A boy has to decide what he is willing to do for material things. One life choice can change the direction of your life-good or bad. 6. Be Patient song performance by Khao about the importance of patience in multiple situations (See Attachment C). 7. Gridlock’d (edited movie scene): A young man is pressured into doing something he does not want to do. 8. My Posse song performance by Khao: song about making wise choices about the “company you keep.” 9. Video message from actress Meagan Good. 10. Finer Things song performance by Khao: song about having confidence, honesty and dignity (See Attachment E). 11. Khao tells his personal story. 12. Pursuit of Happiness (edited movie scene): Father teaches his son about the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. 13. I Can Make It song performance that teaches self-determination (concert closure) (See Attachment F).

Attachment A BRIDGE DA GAP INTRO

Verse 1 If we could wake up out the dream of being all about ourselves. We would see, to help us we have to help somebody else. Out of all the platinum albums and the hits I produce, If I’m not giving back to the youth then what is the use. They looking at for that guidance Lets have a moment of silence for Reggie, he lost his brother and sister to Gang Violence. Little Tommy gets beat up by his pops every night, he gets drunk and tells him he won’t amount to nothing in life. And little Jessica, look in her eyes and something’s not right. Her step father sneaks in the room to touch her at night. Samantha’s in the hospital got cut with a blade, slit her wrist found out her boy friend had given her AIDS Now these are situations that I hear about every day and you wonder why they aren’t focusing and making good grades. I took a year off my career to help the kids and give back. Wrote a text book and a CD called Bridge DA Gap. Bridge DA Gap

Chorus awake, awake, open up your eyes take a look outside awake, awake, open up your eyes take a look outside yourself first he crawls and then he walks, first he mumbles then he talks mother fed him, made him strong, gave him to the world to grow awake, awake, open up your eyes take a look outside awake, awake, open up your eyes take a look outside yourself

ATTACHMENT B

WHAT IF I want to be on top, I know I got big dreams But what if I fail Excuses—Build bridges that lead nowhere Chorus I want to be rich; I want to do big things I want to be on top; I know I got big dreams but what if I fail No, No, No, No How can you make it if you never even try?

Verse 1 They tell me I can be anything that I want to be And my whole destiny is right here in front of me I could be a doctor, a lawyer, celebrity It’s hard to be positive with so much negativity I want to play basketball and be with the college kids But what if I don’t pull my grades up for a scholarship? Graduation around the corner what will my life be I want to be a rapper—what if people don’t like me I want to be successful to help my momma out But what if I don’t ever make it out my momma’s house? Ten years later what if I’m on my momma’s couch Go and get a job, I can picture my momma’s mouth How can I be successful? my parents is struggling Is it hereditary—will I be under them? All of this second guessing myself is useless I won’t make it nowhere with all these excuses

Chorus I want to be rich; I want to do big things I want to be on top; I know I got big dreams but what if I fail No, No, No, No How can you make it if you never even try? I want to be rich; I want to do big things I want to be on top; I know I got big dreams but what if I fail 4

No, No, No, No How can you make it if you never even try?

Verse 2 I want to make good grades and get a good education But I’m in the hood will it damage my reputation I don’t want to gang bang—Why do we have to beef? But what if I don’t ride and the homeys come after me? Heading in the right direction what if I turn around? I want to get a good job but what if they turn me down? I want to be a leader but will you respect me? I got a crush on that girl—what if she rejects me? I want to live a normal life and work ‘til retirement But what if I am just a product of my environment? I listen to the Bridge DA Gap I’m learning the game of life I want to rise to the top—but what if I’m scared of heights? What if my parents would listen to me and back me? And start talking to me and not talk at me I know the powers in me to make it through kid But I won’t make it nowhere with all these excuses

Chorus (2 times) I want to be rich; I want to do big things I want to be on top; I know I got big dreams but what if I fail No, No, No, No How can you make it if you never even try? I want to be rich; I want to do big things I want to be on top; I know I got big dreams but what if I fail No, No, No, No How can you make it if you never even try?

ATTACHMENT C

BE PATIENT

Little homey be patient Be patient

Chorus Yeah I know your type, everybody want to shine You want to be on top, but nobody wants to climb You want to be the boss, but don’t ever want to grind And wonder why you never get ahead every time Little homey be patient That’s the only way you can get where you got to go make good decisions Be patient Sit back; take time to think every situation through Before you move, Be Patient

Verse 1 I was a young crumb snatcher out here try ‘a grab something Coming up in Alabama I ain’t never had nothing But before my pops died—he taught me the key of life Don’t be anxious to make it to the top—you need patience See in this game of life—we always have choices You make the wrong move it sends your life in different courses You can go and get a job but you want the fast bucks So you hit the block up and you got locked up Always getting in a fight—got suspended out of school Be the first to throw a punch you don’t ever think it through Can’t keep relationships and your homeboys mad Can’t nobody tell you nothing because your temper so bad When the going gets tough you get weak and start fronting So you start a lot of things but you don’t complete nothing So instead of playing checkers I suggest you play chess That the only way to make it through your everyday stress Little homey be patient

ATTACHMENT D

MY POSSE

Nine times out of ten most of the trouble you get into is not on you You ain’t even got to do nothing at all But it’s that company that you keep homey

Chorus Hey it’s your posse, your posse, your posse, your posse My posse, my posse (your posse, your posse) It’s your posse, your posse, your posse, your posse My posse, my posse (your posse, your posse)

Verse 1 Rolling with my posse—that’s everywhere I go You might call them your homeys and your friends, your bros (that’s right) Everybody got them—we roll in a pack But there’s always one or two of them that don’t know how to act While I’m up in school the posse out slipping Got into it in the mall with some homeys—straight tripping Now its Friday night I’m heading to a house party My posse wants to roll—I’m bringing everybody Four of us pull up in this bourgeois neighborhood My homeboy spotted something—he up to no good We walk up in the house—my posse wasn’t invited See the dudes from the mall and they break out fighting They tearing up the furniture—people start running I’m try’ a break it up before the cops come in We make it to the car—the police is on our trail My homeboy had a gun so we all go to jail

It’s your posse, your posse, your posse, your posse My posse, my posse (your posse, your posse) It’s your posse, your posse, your posse, your posse My posse, my posse (your posse, your posse)

Verse 2 My mom’s working two jobs so we can make it out We getting out the projects and moving to a house Now she’s really excited—I’m kind of frustrated ‘Cause the hood is gang related where I’m from they really haters We got the moving truck now its a few things left I’ve done moved half of the furniture up out here by myself I called up the posse I need a little help Three said no and one said yes I picked my homey up and told him what’s the deal About the neighborhood and how we really got to chill We get up to my house—he’s throwing up his gang And he loud talking—reckless talk called this girl out her name She went and told her brother—he runs the whole set They run up twenty deep—Now my partner want to jet I tried to talk it out but they still got beef My posse ain’t around and they want to fight me

Chorus Here’s a little story and all of it is true Be careful with the homeys that you hang with in your crew Now some of them is cool but haters are around Take a couple steps forward and they try to bring you down It’s your posse, your posse, your posse, your posse My posse, my posse (your posse, your posse) It’s your posse, your posse, your posse, your posse My posse, my posse (your posse, your posse)

ATTACHMENT E

THE FINER THINGS

I’m a’ cop the “Jordans” (Ay) I’m a’ rock the diamonds (Ay) Keep it in the mansion On the island in my mind (Ay) I’m a’ cop the “Jordans” (Ay) I’m a’ rock the diamonds (Ay) Keep it in the mansion On the island in my mind (Ay)

Chorus I’m a’ cop the “Jordans” (Ay) I’m a’ rock the diamonds (Ay) Keep it in the mansion On the island in my mind (Ay) I’m a’ cop the “Jordans” (Ay) I’m a’ rock the diamonds (Ay) Keep it in the mansion On the island in my mind (Ay)

Chorus It ain’t the money, money, money—No… That makes you who you—No baby cause you a star It ain’t the jewelry, fame, the clothes or the cars No that’s not who you are You should be into all the fine things Let me show you through the steps don’t settle for nothing less If you know that you’re the best (I want to show you all the finer things) No I ain’t talking about a check or some diamonds on your neck I’m talking ‘bout some respect (Let me get you all the finer things)

Verse 1

Can I paint a picture on a movie screen? Little momma had a slim waist with big dreams But you know what happens next all her friends start talking about sex And now little momma don’t know respect (don’t know respect) Well I guess I am here to teach you I got love for all of my people And I pray that I can reach you (that I can reach you) You see respect is not a place to be Respect is how you live—what you demand it’s pride and dignity It’s the finer things

Chorus It ain’t the money, money, money—No… It ain’t the money, money, money—No… That makes you who you—No baby cause you a star It ain’t the jewelry, fame, the clothes or the cars No that’s not who you are You should be into all the fine things Let me show you through the steps don’t settle for nothing less If you know that you’re the best (I want to show you all the finer things) No I ain’t talking about a check or some diamonds on your neck I’m talking ‘bout some respect (Let me get you all the finer things)

Verse 2 You see it’s funny you should mention, how the money got us tripping So our youth ain’t got no vision Save up and buy a business Don’t be foolish buying “Benzes” Try’na flex for all the women You got knowledge then you’re getting it Don’t let this money be what gets you Do’ he love you—does he listen 11 do’ he care to pay attention Tell your baby hold your head up You were born already a queen Stop your dreaming baby wake up It’s time you had a key to the finer things

Bridge I’m a’ cop the “Jordans” (Ay) I’m a’ rock the diamonds (Ay) Keep it in the mansion On the island in my mind (Ay) Heavy handed—good buyout It’s a new day I could be anything, that’s what my momma says (my momma says) And you know my momma always been right, don’t you (don’t you) So get it right and make your momma proud now, want you (want you) And with my last dollar spent I’m a’ always be filthy rich!

Chorus It ain’t the money, money, money—No…

That makes you who you—No baby cause you a star It ain’t the jewelry, fame, the clothes or the cars No that’s not who you are You should be into all the fine things Let me show you through the steps don’t settle for nothing less If you know that you’re the best (I want to show you all the finer things) No I ain’t talking about a check or some diamonds on your neck I’m talking ‘bout some respect (Let me get you all the finer things)

ATTACHMENT F I CAN MAKE IT I’m focused; in a zone and no one can break it I can make it, I can make it Sometimes it’s hard and I don’t think I can’t take it But I can make it, I can make it I got slow it up, sort it out, Plan it out, plan it out Set my goal, make a move Execute, then I’m out Slow it up, sort it out, Plan it out, plan it out Set my goal, make a move Execute, then I’m out

Verse 1 You ever feel like you were lost Don’t know which way to go in life Ain’t really setting no goals in life Got a lot of dreams, ain’t mold ‘em right I can think back to my coldest nights Living in my old school Cherokee Where I park my truck is where I sleep Thinking of the future—where I be Man—I want to be famous man All around the world, they know my name Do something great and change the game Then I look around and still the same Now, I’m getting frustrated Why is my goal so hard to achieve? Everybody then walked out on me Is my goal this hard to believe? Then I had to motivate myself Set my goals; stay on my mission Always going to be other things Getting in my way trying to cloud my vision When the bad times got the best of me Made me want to give up and escape All else fails—Move on Faith Close my eyes; just walk straight Just Walk Straight

Chorus 14

I’m focused; in a zone and no one can break it I can make it, I can make it Sometimes it’s hard and I don’t think I can’t take it But I can make it, I can make it I got slow it up, sort it out, Plan it out, plan it out Set my goal, make a move Execute, then I’m out Slow it up, sort it out, Plan it out, plan it out Set my goal, make a move Execute, then I’m out

Verse 2 I knew that I could be successful If I only tried hard Haters try to shut me down They want to rip my plans apart I’m too smart—ain’t never been stupid I show love—take a walk with cupid Use my brain; ain’t got to be ruthless Took my plan; then I executed it Get up, get out and get something Real life; true story; no fronting First place in this race I’m running First down; chains move; no punting Everyday I live I’m learning How to stay focused and determined For success inside I’m yearning That’s what keeps my fire burning I got big plans, I got big dreams I want nice friends, I want nice things I want to be the one that you look up to Tell your mom and your dad that he does his thing You got to set goals; it’s time to take flight Read between the lines; don’t believe that hype Read between the lines; don’t believe that hype

Chorus I’m focused; in a zone and no one can break it I can make it, 15

I can make it Sometimes it’s hard and I don’t think I can’t take it But I can make it, I can make it I got slow it up, sort it out, Plan it out, plan it out Set my goal, make a move Execute, then I’m out Slow it up, sort it out, Plan it out, plan it out Set my goal, make a move Execute, then I’m out

Verse 3 You ever wanted something so bad You can taste it So long; ain’t a goal to replace it When the road gets rough But am I good enough to make it? Am I wasting my time? Get another grind Maybe a job with a lot of overtime Might be alright if I go hard But giving up on your dreams is so hard And you know deep down Your future worth more than the money That you’re used to Worth more than them haters on the sideline Talking—Because they ride pine Sometimes all you got is you and faith Do what you gotta’ do (say what) Sometimes all you got is you and faith Do what you gotta’ do

Chorus I’m focused; in a zone and no one can break it I can make it, I can make it Sometimes it’s hard and I don’t think I can’t take it But I can make it, I can make it I got slow it up, sort it out, Plan it out, plan it out Set my goal, make a move 16

Execute, then I’m out Slow it up, sort it out, Plan it out, plan it out Set my goal, make a move Execute, then I’m out