A new song highlighting bullying at school and teen suicide has been launched just in time for Youth Month in June.
This week is also Child Protection Week, which runs annually from May 29 until June 5.
The song Painted Faces was written by Jody Wayne White, produced by Nicholas Fester, conceptualised by Juinivere Singh White and is performed by Kyle and Vigo.
The song was released with a music video and was done in collaboration with the Belhar Ysterplaat Airbase Museum, and Belhar High School drama group, while Kenshido Appolis plays the victim.
Nicholas explains: “Painted Faces is a visual narrative that centres around the main character Keny, the odd one out and who is a victim of bullying.
“Keny is devastated and contemplating suicide but in the end, all the conflict is resolved and the students learn how to get along due to certain events that occur in the narrative.
“I reached out to Kyle and Jevigo, both aspiring musicians who have no resources to pursue their passion with.
“Kyle is in matric and currently living with his great grandparents and Vigo is trying to do his best to be an artist for Universal Musiek, like his idol Early B.”
Nicholas says it is important to him to create more social awareness content aimed at a young audience for educational purposes.
“There’s a landfill of entertainment out there easily accessible to young people but not enough narrative-driven content educating and engaging young people and creating awareness around the various issues and challenges they face and battle to overcome on a daily basis; that was the inspiration for producing the song Painted Faces.”
The track is available on YouTube.
venecia.america@inl.co.za