“Used 2 Be Me … Our Stories Through Music”

Prevention Never Sounded So Good

MOVEMENT OBJECTIVE:

Prevention music is that which allows us to express our stories and provide us with a creative outlet for our emotions and our energy.

The Stay Strong Foundation and NINE believe that motivating a change toward social acceptance will decrease the negative attitudes and stigma that surround depression. The Stay Strong Foundation has joined forces with NINE to create the “Used 2 Be Me … Our Stories Through Music.” It will serve as a research engine and a conduit for prevention. The targeted population though open to all, will range from ages 18-25 whom have encountered physical, mental or sexual abuse. This will give them the opportunity to share their stories of struggle, resilience and perseverance, through music.

MOVEMENT BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION:

NINE, with studios in NYC and Atlanta, is a subsidiary of the multi-faceted entity known as Studio9 Global. Studio9 NYC is the recording studio on record for the “Used 2 Be Me” compilation.

“Used 2 Be Me … Our Stories Through Music” movement launched on January 26th, 2010. The launch includes a music talent search, on-line, television, radio, outdoor billboard ads, print, and interactive elements.

Those participating in the music talent search will be asked to send their work to NINE where it will be critiqued and will go through a selection process. Acceptable submissions will consist of letters, poems or essays expressing a challenge and how it was overcome or is being dealt with currently and their future outlook on life—produced as a song—will be a part of this historic CD series. The first release from the series of CDs will be “Used 2 Be Me” and it will serve as the theme song for the “Used To Be Me” movement.

Xavier “X” Artis and NINE recording artists, D’Artis will appear on BET’s “The Mo’Nique Show” – scheduled to air on Wednesday, February 3^rd and Thursday, February, 4^th, 2010. (Check your local listing)