(Transcript from World News Australia Radio)
Rap 3021 consists of eight members who arrived in Australia from war-torn countries.
Some had even been child soldiers.
But as Manny Tsigas reports, they're now using music to document their past and look to the future.
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On the streets of Melbourne's northwest, these guys have been working hard to get a good rap.
At times hip-hop lyrics can address anger or violence, but Rap 3021's debut single is a lot more upbeat: which is special, considering the past of some members.
Fostin Nishimirimana, also known as FoFo, was born in Burundi.
As a child he was taken by his father to serve as a soldier while the rest of his family fled to Tanzania.
"For people like us, who grew up as child soldiers, you kill, you steal. You just gotta do what you're told and sometimes do more than you're told to do. To watch your friends, because we didn't have medicine or doctors, you're watching them dying slow. That's the hardest thing I had to experience."
At the age of 12 Fofo fled to a refugee camp and months later was reunited with his family in Australia.
Hip-hop was always part of his life and after placing in a Victorian poetry competition, he tried his hand at rapping.
"The aim of my music is to speak to people, get people thinking about life and to motivate themselves in life; for young kids to grow up in society to do something with their lives."
A rapping workshop had been set up by the Good Shepherd Youth and Family Service.
Youth worker Angela Scarpaci explains with a little help from professional artists, members are encouraged to write lyrics based on their own experiences.
"Rapping is their life. It makes them feel alive. They love entertaining their friends and family and community. They really enjoy it. The community support has been strong within it. They've been working with a mentor, Joe Motley, who's from the UK and has albums and things like that which is great. By working with a professional it's really made them come out of their shell. Their self-esteem has grown, their motivation has come about."
Congolese band member Ezy came to Australia when he was nine.
He says he enjoys writing lyrics that send a positive message.
"Most rappers will talk about girls, money and stuff, but they're not concentrating on the message they're doing. I'm making songs like 'The Future's Ours'. I wrote that song for every kid that's suffering around the world and stuff. Then I got a song called 'Aspire', to get people moving but it's got a bit of a message in it."
And the lyrics will keep on flowing as Rap 3021 prepares for series of live performances in the coming months.
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