“Get out of the way, this is my world!”

Speak Up Hunter is a group of people with intellectual disability who are using their voice to stand up for their rights. Not only are they advocating for the rights of their peers with disability, they are doing it through song. Country rap no less!

The red carpet was rolled out for This Is My World rappers at the launch of their music video in Newcastle on Thursday night.

A large crowd turned out to support their local rap stars and they were even treated to some live performances on the night.

Seven members of the Speak Up Hunter peer support group are featured on the track which talks about their rights and what they enjoy in their lives.

In the video, each person tells their own story. MC Jaco (Jacob Hughes) and The King (Robert King) use communication devices to get their message out in the song.

The group engaged award-winning youth sector worker, Shane Tunz, to collaborate with them on the song’s message, chorus and lyrics.

“We asked questions like ‘what do you love to do…what would you like to say to the world?” Shane explained.

Going viral

The group have been gaining a lot of media attention since the launch with the ABC and Daily Mail already reporting on their story.

Group member MC Leo (Leigh Creighton) told the ABC about the motivation behind the music video:

“We didn’t want to make just another film,” he said.

“We wanted to use hip hop to talk about inclusion.

“It’s about knowing we are important and that we matter.

“It’s about being part of ‘My World’.”

About Speak Up Hunter

Speak Up Hunter is a peer support group for people with intellectual disability. It is supported by Community Disability Alliance Hunter (CDAH).

Links

Find out more about CDAH here.

If you want to learn more about peer support, email us at info@nswnswcid.wpengine.com or call us on 1800 424 065.