What is CRUNK?
The word Crunk comes from a mixture of two words, Cool and Funk (or Crazy and Funk). Well Crunk is Crunk. What maybe Crunk to you may not be Crunk to another-. Crunk will always be Crunk, from now until the end of Crunk. There are other words to define things that are Crunk. Words such as ‘fly’, ‘def’ or ‘tha bomb’. But they are shadows of what Crunk is. Crunk is a varied term. It is a Hip Hop term which is used in the positive. If something is good, then it’s ‘Crunk’. It can be used as an adjective: “That club is Crunk”.
Why CRUNK Newcastle?
Crunk was born out of conversations with young people from Black Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in and around the Newcastle area who felt isolated in their communities. The young people felt that they could not go to other under 18 events ran by the entertainments industry for fear of being bullied by racists, some had experienced bulling at youth clubs, the times that these events finished (10pm) were times when pubs in the city centre were full of adults drunk, parents did not want their children in town at these times near adults under the influence of alcohol, some parents felt it would tempt their child to drink in these pubs and be taken advantage of by adults.
CRUNK is a monthly social event for under 18’s. CRUNK provides’ a safe social space for BME and white young people to come together. It is a drug and alcohol free space that actively brings together diverse communities of young people who normally just wouldn’t come into contact with each other. CRUNK unlike other under 18 events is not a commercial venture and it managed by youth workers, stemming from a youth and community ethos. CRUNK celebrates a diverse music and cultural scene, which is sadly missing in Newcastle. CRUNK nurtures and creates a space for BME young people to create and express themselves artistically and develop new cultural initiatives.
CRUNK is about meeting and addressing the needs of this generation of young people.
The Success of CRUNK so far…
CRUNK events have been running for 3 years with over 700 young people attending, 60% of who are BME from across the BME communities. CRUNK is inclusive and has actively engaged young refugees and unaccompanied minors. CRUNK has provided a safe social space where young people have mixed, this has been especially important for the unaccompanied minors who have little in the way of an extended social and friendship group.
CRUNK has attracted young people who would not ordinarily attend an under 18 event due to concerns over safety, most under 18 events finish at 9:30 pm at night mid-week in Newcastle City Centre. This is when Newcastles famous night life is alive with adults. Although no alcohol is served at under 18 events many young people arrive already drunk and due to the commercial nature of these events are not turned away, with a clubbing and alcohol orientated culture not just being accepted but actively promoted. Alternatively CRUNK Newcastle events run on a Saturday afternoon at 1pm - 5pm giving young people time to leave the City Centre before it has time to fill up with adult revellers.
To get involved in planning CRUNK events, Leeds Carnival, music projects, video projects, dancing, art, drama, trips and activities and anything else you can think of...
Come and join CRUNKERZ young peoples group meet at Streetwise, for info ring 0191 230 55 33 or 07852107803
