A blue building sits to the left of the main building of the Eastlake YMCA in Oakland. Inside, chairs are lined around the walls of the main room, and two large speakers sit in the corners facing the entrance. The building houses a studio and recording booth. The young lyricists ponder over what to write. The topic is respect, not to be mistaken with the kind of “respect” that’s excessively glorified in mainstream rap, usually achieved from fear, intimidation or monetary success.

After sitting quietly and writing for a while, some of the young rappers and writers go outside while a few remain inside. Most use the remaining time to practice their delivery, by mouthing their pieces to a beat in their head, before they have to perform it for the class. This is where some Oakland teenagers not only learn the techniques they will need to follow their dreams, but also learn about other opportunities they might not be aware of.

Programs like the YMCA’s “Youth Speaks” and the High School Celebrity Contest, sponsored by the New California Arts and Development (CAD), are ways for young adults in Oakland, El Cerrito and Alameda to positively express themselves about issues occurring in their communities. “Youth Speaks” is a program at the Eastlake YMCA that teaches high school students to write hip-hop lyrics. The program also gives students the chance to receive feedback from local rap artists. These young adults are encouraged to create music that doesn’t degrade women, glorify drug and alcohol abuse, or contain profanity.

"I want them to embrace the responsibility that comes along with the power of the media and realize it is a platform,” says Derrick Mann, founder of CAD.

Mann started CAD ten years ago to inspire kids and teens living in Oakland by offering programs such as writing for a newspaper, being on the radio, and meeting local celebrities, like KMEL’s morning show host Chuy Gomez, and producer and recording artist E-40. They can also record a song for an album that will be distributed throughout the Bay Area.

Students can compete for a chance to win not only studio time to record their song, which will be featured on the upcoming “Stop the Violence” compilation, but also have the opportunity to record with local Bay Area artist, Lee Majors. Majors has worked with artists like San Quin, Keak Da Sneak and Dru Down. Although Majors' already released music includes profanity, he is trying to use less of it on his upcoming album.

"Most people don't want to hear it," says Majors about the unpopularity of hip-hop without violence or profanity. “More people need to stand up."

To qualify, the music can’t have any profanity or glorify the use of drugs, sex, or violence. The use of these lewd subjects and obscene language are often showcased in rap and hip-hop music, something Mann doesn’t agree with. Mann can’t think of any rap artist who (he thinks) takes their responsibility as a role model seriously. As an owner of ten recording studios on High Street, Mann uses his business to change the norm. He thinks artists who use sex and drugs to sell records have a larger negative impact in urban areas, than the people who participate in the activities.

“I’m trying to promote a clean industry,” Mann says about his work. “Most people respect me as a man of God.”

Once selected, entrees are required to maintain good grades and school attendance in order to participate. If their grades and attendance are unsatisfactory, before the students compete Mann requires that they sign a pledge to improve in these areas by their next report cards before they are allowed to continue.

“Our target market isn’t always the best students,” says Mann. “If they are picked then we work it out.”

Sis’taz is one of Oakland’s hip-hop groups focused on conveying positive messages in their music. The group’s members, Anajanee Howard, Jasmine Coleman and Kalya Henry, have all wanted to make music since they were children. Now each 16-years-old, they are working on an EP together, while preparing for their first tour in California this summer. To promote their music they will also be featured on the “Stop the Violence” compilation. The trio’s first songs are different from what most major record labels are producing now. One of their songs, “Lay,” is about abstinence, a subject rarely mentioned in hip-hop.

Although Howard, Coleman and Henry state that they feel they have nothing to prove, they don’t like the images of provocatively dressed women commonly seen in most hip-hop music videos, like Lil Jon’s “Snap Yo’ Fingers” and R. Kelly’s “I’m a Flirt (remix),” and they aren’t going to conform to the same industry norms. Henry credits strong family values for her sense of self-worth and points out that not everyone is fortunate enough to have someone to teach them what is appropriate and what isn’t.

“I don’t condone it, but I also don’t judge,” says Henry.

“We don’t glorify, but do like them to tell their story,” says Mustafa Muhyee, a coordinator at the Eastlake YMCA, about the music created there. “We allow them to be them, but clean it up a little bit.”

New California Arts Development is a non-profit program funded by Mann, along with public donations and volunteers. He would like to offer more programs in more cities, but would take more money than he can afford. As a successful business owner, Mann is able to cover most of the expenses himself, but says that the program is in financial trouble because of lack of funding. Although there is some financial support from the community, it still isn’t enough according to Mann.

The Stop the Violence Compilation is scheduled to be released in June. Songs will be available on the High School Celebrity’s Myspace page, www.myspace.com/HighSchool_Celebrity, and will be distributed for free throughout the Bay Area.

“People complain about the negative, but are not doing anything about it,” says Mann about the amount of drugs and violence in Oakland. “The least you can do is help. I can’t think of a better cause, than the country and the children.”