About Us

By combining the elements of hip-hop break-dance, graffiti, MCing and DJing knowledge, we have developed a unique and exciting way to allow our young people to do just that and express to the city and to the world what Hull people have to offer.

As Hull was the UK’s City of Culture 2017, what better time to launch the Beats Bus!

A major partner of the city of culture kindly donated a mobile sales unit which renowned graffiti artist Si2 has transformed into the Beats Bus you see today.

Inside you will find a mobile recording studio to record and the chance to communicate the music you create to people across the city.

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What We Do

Songwriting

Our research has found that songwriting can be used to teach critical thinking skills, critical literacy, media literacy skills, STEM skills, critical consciousness and more. Hip-hop is the most influential culture in the world and that's why we use it to educate and engage young people and communities.

Street Dancing

Hip-hop is a very energetic form of dancing. It is unique in that it allows its dancers to perform with freedom of movement, adding in their own personalities. It is a great way for children to learn social skills and manners as well as brilliant exercise.

Graffiti Painting

Graffiti workshops give young people the opportunity to create their own unique pieces of work, which gives them a lot of self-confidence and makes them think achieving other goals is possible. It’s great way of speaking out on political and social issues.

DJ Workshops

We offer DJ workshops where students can learn the fundamentals of music theory. It also is a gateway to music production, arrangement and composition. The Dj was a pioneering skill in the creation of hip-hop and gave birth to the DMC (Dj mixing championships). Djing is now recognised as an accredited qualification towards a GCSE.

What We Do

Tutors

Dave “DJ Redlocz” Okwesia

Nic “SI2” Horsefield

Nigel “Kobby” Taylor

Steve “Redeye” Arnott
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Testimonials

“The Tudor Trust made a grant to Beats Bus because we really like the ethos of the organisation and the way the Beats Bus team work with young people in a way which builds on their strengths and which helps open them up to new experiences and possibilities. Beats Bus’s power and authenticity is grounded in its ‘rootedness’ both in lived experience and in Hull – and this contributes to the positive way young people respond to their work.”

The Tudor Trust

“The Ideas and Pioneers Fund supports people to explore new ideas for creating change. In trying to stop systems of failure by supporting young people through alternative career paths, the Beats Bus team have a pioneering approach to targeting the ‘prison pipeline’. Their energy and encouragement to other grantees in the Fund is second to none, and we can’t wait to see the progress they make on their idea.”

Paul Hamlyn Foundation

“Youth Music are thrilled to support Beats Bus through our Incubator Fund. Beats Bus provide an unrivalled offer for young people at risk of offending in Hull, and we look forward to seeing young people take the first steps into music industry careers with their support.”

Youth Music Incubator

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Support Us

Using music to empower & inspire the next generation.
Designed to encourage the next generation to speak out about their hopes and aspirations through music.

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Patrons

Abigail Scott Paul
Director Of External Relations, Leeds 2023

Lucy Beaumont
(Writer and Comedian)

Sean McAllister
(filmmaker)