Drake Gives Donation To Music School To Keep It Going
STUDENTS FROM a troubled high school in Philadelphia have finally been able to use a recording studio donated by rapper Drake after a month long search for a teacher to run it.
The Grammy-winning star gave $75,000 (approx £50,000) to help create the music space at Strawberry Mansion High School after hearing about the school’s problems on the news.
Although the studio was finished last summer, Strawberry Mansion’s principal Linda Cliatt-Wayman said budget problems and the school’s reputation for violence made it hard to find an instructor.
But at long last, they were able to recruit part-time music teacher Ben Diamond.
“We thought we were going to be ready to go in September. They’ve been dying to get [into the studio]”, Wayman said of the students.
Drake, 28, became involved with the project after ABC News aired a piece focusing on Wayman’s tough-love efforts to improve the school, which serves one of the city’s poorest and most dangerous neighbourhoods.
Campus assaults have dropped dramatically since Wayman arrived two years ago, but academics and resources remain a struggle.
When the Canadian rapper came to Philadelphia during a concert tour in October 2013, he invited members of the school community to a private gathering before the show – where, he surprised them by announcing the generous GIFT.
“This is about you. This is about your principal. This is about your future,” Drake said as his guests screamed with joy.
“I love you. I care about you. I want to see you succeed.”
With Drake’s donation, the school purchased new keyboards, acoustical accessories and other equipment. The schools long-disused sound booths were also CLEANED UP and repainted.
Members of Drake’s crew completed the work over the summer, yet the gear sat untouched throughout the autumn, according to the principal.
And when music teacher Diamond finally began teaching studio production last month (Feb), the interest was lukewarm – until Wayman used the school’s public address system to broadcast a debut song which was actually recorded in the facility.
That made students realise the long-rumoured equipment actually existed, she said.
“You have to prove everything to them,” said Wayman. “So many people disappoint them.”
Diamond added: “Many of them don’t have very many other reasons to be excited about coming to school.
“To be able to give them an outlet for things they want to express is very SPECIAL
.”
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