Track of the Day: Powerful Creative Minds - 'Hope is Good, Change is Real'

Powerful Creative Minds are a four-piece hip-hop group from Crumlin, featuring grade A violinist and vocalist Jazzy Yaz, producer Bombitty, and rappers Ricks and Ciaran.

The idea for the moniker Powerful Creative Minds (PCM) came about as an abbreviation for “Poddle Close Mafia”.

"Although it sounds phoney, at the time there were teens on the estate relating to the slogan," the group tell Hot Press. "Many kids were leaving school before finishing their Leaving Certificate exams because they could make fast money, so we wanted to change the narrative. We called ourselves Powerful Creative Minds, and before we knew it the domino effect had started to happen."

Before they knew it, PCM grew to accommodate eight members at one stage; five from the same Crumlin-based estate and three from just outside of it.

Influenced by Stephen Reddington - Ricks and Ciaran’s father - the DJ played on 12’10 Technics and threw himself into the underground world of hip-hop. The fascination was passed down to his two sons, it seems.

"He would tell us stories of him being part of his own “B boy crew” all break dancing against different crews from around the city outside the GPO on a piece of Lino," PCM recollect.

"His record collection and our musical influences stems from the beginning of the hip-hop house parties. From DJ Kook Herc, Grand Master Wizard, Grand Mater Flash, and African Bambaataa to the rap element of the genre with Rakim’s paid in full, Ice Cube with NWA, The Fugees' 'Killing Me Softly', and Nas Illmatic. We where literally raised on the sound of hip-hop."

Powerful Creative Minds are all set to release their forthcoming EP, 39, on December 16.

The focus for the EP's instrumental was hard-hitting beats with simple elements to give the lyrics more of punch. 39 is the number of the outfit's house, and the home of every story written on the project. Their home base encouraged vulnerability, with diverse conversations and parallel narratives involving relationship problems and the feeling of being lost in a chaotic world.

"We wanted the listener to to recognise that there is no growth without hurt and remind themselves that it’s ok to feel low every now and then. Things will get better you just have to ride the waves of life."

Their second single, 'Hope is Good, Change is Real', was released on November 25th and follows on from their powerful first track 'Problems of These Days'. Never shying away from tough themes and emotional lyrics, the young group are making waves in their hometown of Crumlin and beyond.

"Initially this song was written about a family member who ended up homeless due to circumstances he believed were his own fault," PCM tell Hot Press.

"As we began to delve into his situation, we can began to recognise that his problems where not just a personal domino effect but more of a social issue. Falling through school systems, the effect of educational programmes promise but not delivered, failed approach and lack of standing from social care teams, and the inconsistency in community welfare.By highlighting these circumstances we aim to bring light to their situation and hope that they recognise that’s it’s not all their fault," PCM add.

"We aim to offer hope to the hopeless."

Watch the video for 'Hope is Good, Change is Real' below: