Contest seeks new verse for ‘Butt’ rap

Press, 1 June 1989, Page 8

Contest seeks new verse for ‘Butt’ rap

By

SARAH SANDS

Aspiring rap performers have a chance to take part in a contest launched yesterday by Heartbeat New Zealand, an anti-smoking group. Schoolchildren from throughout the country have been invited to write another verse for the rap song featured in the recent anti-smoking campaign, “Kick it in the Butt.”

The programme director of Heartbeat New Zealand, Dr David Hay, said the rap used in the campaign had had great appeal among young people. A rap is a spoken lyric often accompanied by music with a strong beat. “We know that many already know the rap by heart and it is performed regularly. The competition aims to give them the opportunity to add their own creative input.” Entrants are required to write an additional verse for the song and perform the whole rap on tape.

Dr Hay said getting the anti-smoking message across to young people was vital

because they were the greatest area of concern. “The only growth area in new smokers is in the younger age group, where young people are still being pressured into smoking. We believe it is important to encouage them not to begin.” Recent research indicated that by the age of 15, 18 per cent of girls and 11 per cent of boys smoked at least one cigarette a day, said Dr Hay. Smoking among boys in the 15 to 19 age group had dropped from 30 per cent in 1976 to 22 per cent in 1988. However, among girls, the rate had increased from 30 to 32 per cent in the same period, he said. Information and entry forms for the contest have been mailed to all intermediate and secondary schools. Entries can be from an individual or group. “We hope school principals and music teachers will support the concept and encourage their students to take part as their contribution to the anti-smoking lobby,” he said.