“font-family: Verdana;”>“I’ve done a lot of things here in
St. Louis, and I believe that
this could be the top of them all,” rap star Nelly said. “I don’t
think this is something anyone could have imagined – especially in
this area.”
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Through his music and fashion ventures, Nelly put the city on the map. Back in 2000 – at a time when hip-hop was East Coast, West Coast or Dirty South – Nelly and the St. Lunatics had the nerve to rep for St. Louis. The shameless plugs for the city and a signature sound earned him platinum plaques and Grammy awards.
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>More than a decade later, he has teamed up with Vatterott College to create Vatterott ex’treme Institute by Nelly, a music education curriculum that will offer classes in recording, beat making, digital design and graphic arts.
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“My hope was not only to create a curriculum that lets me give back to the next generation of engineers and producers, but build a studio like this and let St. Louis artists come in and record,” said Carl Nappa, Executive Director of Technology and Sound Engineering
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Nappa, a Grammy-nominated engineer, mixer and producer, was hand-picked by Nelly. In addition to their work together, Nappa has collaborated with Teddy Riley, P Diddy and Wyclef Jean. He has been awarded more than 30 Gold, Platinum and Multi-Platinum records.
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>In just four months, the space that housed the Skybox Restaurant and Sports Bar was transformed into a state-of-the art studio space with computer classrooms outfitted with the latest software.
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Pam Bell,
Chief
Executive Officer and President of Vatterott Educational Centers,
said, “I
am elated with this latest partnership with our friend Nelly – for
the city of St. Louis and for everyone here who is interested in
music.”
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>The curriculum can range from one class to a multi-platform course load.
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“What we are doing is bringing all of those fields together so a person can do it themselves,” Nappa said. “To make a beat, to record the vocals and the final phase is how to make a website: one whole package.”
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>Nelly hopes the influence of the institute goes beyond the classes.
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“Even though we are an institution of learning, we are probably the most unorthodox institution of learning, being that we deal with creativity, expression and your inner feelings and bringing that to fruition,” Nelly said.
“font-size: 9pt; font-family: Verdana;”>“We can teach you how to work the equipment, but after that it’s about your drive and your determination. I’m hoping that kids come down and they have this thing in them, such as I had in me and I needed to let it out.”
For more
information on Vatterott ex’treme Institute by Nelly, visit
www.eibynelly.com.
