News November 20, 2015

UMA teams with MMAD charity to help troubled teens

Former Editor

Universal Music Australia has partnered with grassroots charity Musicians Making A Difference (MMAD) for a projectthat has triggered a nationwide campaign and a single.

Penned by 10 kids from the MMAD program, along with Australian artists Tuka (ARIA nominee from Thundamentals) and KLP, MMAD4U was recorded at The Grove Studios by Scott Horscroft (owner of The Grove, producer and GM of A&R at EMI).

The track features The Voice Kids contestant and one of the organisation’s ambassadors, 14-year-old Fletcher Pilon, as well as Parramatta rapper Daniel Harvey Palu, aka D. Minor. TMN interviewed Palu in September following his win at the World Championship of Performing Arts. He took home Gold with his original track SYD 2 LBC. The song is about his journey from being homeless in Sydney to performing on a world stage.

“I found myself homeless at the age of 11 due to a violent and neglectful home situation,” he told TMN in September. “I was left abandoned with only the passion of music left in me.”

Another teen featuring on the track said they are still battling addiction: “Been to rehab and mental institutions. I’m not a quitter though, I still have fight in me, with the help of good friends, family MMAD family and music, I rise up,” the rising star said.

“I want to be remembered for the brave person I can be,” said another artist who co-penned the track. “So instead of following all these pointless roads, I am going to create my own, so people like me can walk along this road…the right one, and I’ll be their side every step of the way making sure they don’t fall.”

The track is available to purchase or stream HEREwith all proceeds from the song going back to support MMAD’s goals: to help young people break negative cycles, feel a sense of self-worth and make positive choices.

Alongside the single is national campaign #MMAD4U Day, which launches Monday (November 23). Australian artists 5 Seconds of Summer, Tuka, Troye Sivan, Birds of Tokyo, KLP, Justice Crew and the Potbelleez are among those involved.

George Ash, Universal Music, Asia Pacific told TMN: “We are equally proud and inspired to have collaborated with 10 Rising Star kids on the #mmad4u campaign. The work being done by the MMAD charity to encourage young peopleto reach their potential and express themselves through music therapy is incredible. We are really excited to launch the #mmad4U campaign.”