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Irish rapper Cú Chulainn is raising awareness about the devastating effects of drugs addiction in the Newry, Mourne and Down District council community with his 'Wee Conor Project' in memory of his friend Conor Kearns.
The 30 year old hip hop artist from Newry has created a song, music video and media campaign dedicated to the memory of Conor Kearns, a 23 year old man who in March 2019, tragically lost his life due a fatal drugs overdose at his Mum Sandra’s home in Forkhill, South Armagh.
The Wee Conor music video is recorded in the stunning surrounds of Camlough Lake and it's incredibly catchy beat and professional production gets the message across perfectly. "Yo Bro, you were 007 with a golden smile, watching boys in the hood eyes open wide" - Close your eyes and listen to the words, and it sums up perfectly every group of mates ever - young, free, full of fun and with the feeling that in their life absolutely anything is possible! - "We philosophised, set the world to rights, it was me you and Kevin every Friday night."
The multi-talented artist, who suffered from drugs and alcohol addiction but is now two years sober comments “Conor Kearns was like a wee brother to me. On Friday nights Conor, his older brother Kevin and I would chill out, listen to rap tunes and watch hip hop inspired films. I will always remember Conor’s infectious smile and personality from those days. We grew up in an area where there were no alternative lifestyle options for young people apart from to grow up fast and get into the pubs and clubs like the older lads. As teenagers we quickly developed drugs and alcohol dependencies. We didn’t know that subconsciously we were planting the seeds of reckless havoc and destruction in our lives.”
Cú Chulainn has reached thousands of young people across Ireland since the music video was launched and he believes it is a perfect way to connect with them as they relate to rap music and from the feedback he has received the ‘Wee Conor’ song has went down really well.
"One of the main aims of the project is to push Conor’s story into Ireland’s high schools and youth clubs so young people can be aware of the alternative lifestyle choices available to them from an early age. In my opinion Northern Ireland is experiencing a pandemic of youth drugs related suicides and overdoses. Youth mental well being is at an all time low in the country." he explained
He concluded "Drugs education in Northern Ireland is often very authoritarian. Students are gathered in the high school assembly hall and the local PSNI chief will deliver harsh warnings about criminal activities associated with drug taking. If we are going to reach young people we have to cut out the preaching and start connecting with young people in ways they understand. Overall the ‘Wee Conor’ project is cementing Conor’s legacy through the music he loved so much and by the delivery of this drugs awareness campaign. The 'Wee Conor' song is a gift to the Kearns family so they will always have something special to remember their son by."
Go to Cú Chulainn's Instagram at @cuchulainnofficial
You can also check out more on the story at www.youtube.com
