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Washington Square Park welcomes world's first deaf rapper | nyunews.com
Hundreds of people jammed along to the music of international rapper Signmark in Washington Square Park on Thursday.
But the event was far from your average concert. Instead of singing along, the crowds signed along to the lyrics using American Sign Language.
Hailing from Finland, Signmark has gained recognition as the world's first deaf rap artist. Through his production company, Signmark has produced several songs geared toward the deaf community. After successfully touring cities such as Stockholm and Hong Kong, Signmark decided to hold an event in New York City as well.
"We've heard that Washington Square Park is a really cool area in New York — a lot of young people," event organizer Nuppu Sternos said. "Because it's surrounded by NYU, there are a lot of students with attitudes, so we wanted to bring them in as well. New York is the place to be."
According to the organizers, the event was intended to bring the community together.
"Music is for everybody, so I felt that this was a good idea to start developing and testing," Sternos said. "We want to raise the deaf awareness and show sign language in a positive way. The more people we get involved, the better. In the meantime, hopefully the world will be a more equal place for everyone."
St. Peter's College professor Dana Callan-Farley brought his American Sign Language class to the event to gain a deeper understanding of the community.
"We brought them over because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Signmark perform in person, in public and participate with him," he said.
Farley described the event as deaf culture "at its peak."
"It's the biggest event that I've been to," Farley said. "I think every college, every educational institute should do the research — know what it means to have young people who sign in their midst. [Know] that it's language, that it can be bridged into English and that children can learn English and sign language and function effectively in our society. It's a human right."
College of Nursing graduate student Lauren Hall was impressed by the enormity of the event.
"I think it's a really creative way to raise awareness, and it's definitely creating a lot of curiosity in people passing though Washington Square — it's a prominent place on campus," she said. "It looks like everyone has a lot of energy."
After performing four songs on stage, Signmark deemed the event a success.
"You can see me sweating," he said. "That means I have given my everything for this. I also felt that the audience gave a lot to me. It was a real pleasure to be here, and I really liked performing in New York. I'd be willing to come here again."
The rapper also delivered words of encouragement.
"Believe in your dreams," he said. "If anyone is in doubt, never mind them. You must have an attitude of loving negative feedback so that it will always fire you up. If you lose again, then you just have to practice again. That is the basic idea of life in general."
Hundreds of people jammed along to the music of international rapper Signmark in Washington Square Park on Thursday.
But the event was far from your average concert. Instead of singing along, the crowds signed along to the lyrics using American Sign Language.
Hailing from Finland, Signmark has gained recognition as the world's first deaf rap artist. Through his production company, Signmark has produced several songs geared toward the deaf community. After successfully touring cities such as Stockholm and Hong Kong, Signmark decided to hold an event in New York City as well.
"We've heard that Washington Square Park is a really cool area in New York — a lot of young people," event organizer Nuppu Sternos said. "Because it's surrounded by NYU, there are a lot of students with attitudes, so we wanted to bring them in as well. New York is the place to be."
According to the organizers, the event was intended to bring the community together.
"Music is for everybody, so I felt that this was a good idea to start developing and testing," Sternos said. "We want to raise the deaf awareness and show sign language in a positive way. The more people we get involved, the better. In the meantime, hopefully the world will be a more equal place for everyone."
St. Peter's College professor Dana Callan-Farley brought his American Sign Language class to the event to gain a deeper understanding of the community.
"We brought them over because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see Signmark perform in person, in public and participate with him," he said.
Farley described the event as deaf culture "at its peak."
"It's the biggest event that I've been to," Farley said. "I think every college, every educational institute should do the research — know what it means to have young people who sign in their midst. [Know] that it's language, that it can be bridged into English and that children can learn English and sign language and function effectively in our society. It's a human right."
College of Nursing graduate student Lauren Hall was impressed by the enormity of the event.
"I think it's a really creative way to raise awareness, and it's definitely creating a lot of curiosity in people passing though Washington Square — it's a prominent place on campus," she said. "It looks like everyone has a lot of energy."
After performing four songs on stage, Signmark deemed the event a success.
"You can see me sweating," he said. "That means I have given my everything for this. I also felt that the audience gave a lot to me. It was a real pleasure to be here, and I really liked performing in New York. I'd be willing to come here again."
The rapper also delivered words of encouragement.
"Believe in your dreams," he said. "If anyone is in doubt, never mind them. You must have an attitude of loving negative feedback so that it will always fire you up. If you lose again, then you just have to practice again. That is the basic idea of life in general."