Educator and performer Corey DePina speaks about teaching Hip-Hop in Cape Verde

Corey DePina, who also performs under the name Sant1, grew up in the historic Roxbury section of Boston as a first generation American in a family of immigrants from Cape Verde. His exposure to music soon blossomed into a passion for Hip-Hop music. 

A skilled songwriter, MC, bass player and teaching artist, Corey currently serves as Program Director of ZUMIX, an amazing nonprofit organization that provides classes in songwriting, performance & creative media and technology. 

I recently spoke with this talented, dedicated and inspirational bear about his work, being honored by the Black and Latino caucus with the Black Excellence Award, and his goal to develop a music and creative tech space for the young people of Cape Verde. 

Kyle Jackson: Where did your musical influences come from? Who are some of your favorite artists?

Corey DePina: My influences start in the Baptist Church, and also with the artist listened to as a young person. I grew closer to artists that looked like me, such as The Fat Boys and Heavy D. I was also into Stevie Wonder and Micheal Jacson. Nowadays, my favorite artists are all from the True School era of Hip-Hop — Wu Tang Clan, Black Thought and The Roots, and Nas.  

KJ: When did you start working as a teaching artist? When/How did that calling come about? 

CD: My first teaching artist gig was in 9th grade when my teachers found out I was hooking school. They noticed I was playing hookie and asked me what it would take to keep me in school. I said we just wanna do some Hip-Hop. They allowed me to teach an elective that over 20 students signed up to take. That’s when I knew I enjoyed educating others, and that this is what I found important. 

KJ: You were recently awarded the Excellence on the Hill Award in Boston. Can you explain a little bit about what this award is? 

CD: I was nominated by my state legislator and chosen by the Black and Latino Caucus for the Black Excellence Award. It’s an award for over 20 years of providing creative youth development and education in the state of Massachusetts. I was also recognized for my effort to music with a music education space on the island of Fogo that my family migrated from.   

KJ: You were also recently given the opportunity to travel to Cape Verde and teach music. Can you talk a bit about that experience and how it was for you? 

CD: It was life-changing. I was able to teach Hip-Hop to people who have never heard the stories of the South Bronx and Kool Herc. I also noticed how poor the country is and how much privilege I have here in the state. 

In 2017, I started collecting instruments and money. To date, I have over 200 instruments and over $10,000 to help work towards building a music and creative tech space for the young people of the island.  

KJ: What is your personal artist’s philosophy? What is most important for you as an artist? 

CD: To me it’s about the balance of personal development, artistic development, civic engagement and professionalism.

As an artist, it’s important for me to not hold myself back. My difference is all the difference. I don’t make art for the mainstream. I’m not big on chilling with the slave owners on the plantation, I prefer to keep it underground. I try to make art that I would like to digest; art that leaves people a little different than they were before they experienced it. 

Follow Corey DePina (Sant1) on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and check out his music by subscribing to his YouTube channel.