Culture
Kevin Saunderson and Inner City have reworked their classic track ‘Good Life’
The band has linked up with young people in London to make a new version of the classic
Inner City have reworked their classic track ‘Good Life’.
The band – which includes Kevin Saunderson, his son Dantiez Saunderson and vocalist Steffanie Christi’an – created the new version of ‘Good Life’ during a workshop with the Young Urban Arts Foundation (YUAF), which aims to support young people in London through music and the arts.
The workshop took place on November 7 in Hackney on the YUAF Outreach Media Bus; a bus converted to a mobile studio with 8 workstations inside. Kevin and Dantiez worked with aspiring producers while Steffanie Christi’an worked with an aspiring vocalist and rapper to rewrite the lyrics of ‘Good Life’.
Kevin said: “Our mission has always been to unite people through music, and I see nothing but a positive result from it. We all have different challenges in life. Some tougher than others. We all grew up differently, and are influenced differently, and sometimes our circumstances from a young age, can lead to the wrong path in later life.”
‘Good Life’ was chosen as it is a positive song with a positive message.
“The rework of 'Good Life' was a result we never could have imagined. A London / UK-influenced, half-time version. I’ve never heard one of our tracks in that way before! So, Inner City also want to thank the young community of Hackney who worked with us that evening for teaching and influencing us too! It was truly a special thing to be part of," Kevin added.
Kerry O’Brien, CEO and Founder of the YUAF was also saved from a challenging youth through her connection with music and the creative arts, in particularly Jungle and drum ‘n’ bass, eventually becoming Lady MC, a fierce MC and rapper.
“What I found so unique about this workshop in particular was the exchange of learning on both sides, and how quickly Kevin, Dantiez and Steffanie were able to adapt in working with our group. The buzz of creative energy on the bus, and the smiles on everyone’s faces after just 90 minutes was out of this world,” Kerry told Mixmag.
The YUAF won Community Project Of The Year by the housing association London & Quadrant 2019 for the work they conduct in numerous areas. The charity has worked with almost 18,000 young people over the last 10 years, reaching them in underprivileged areas on their doorsteps and within their communities.
Kerry said: “Marking our 10-year anniversary, I have to say has been the best year so far for us. Getting so much support from the music and creative industries has made all the difference to our profile and most importantly, to our young people.”
