“This beat isn’t going to judge me”

What is music for you? For Sinzere, hip-hop was her saving grace. She was struggling with her mental health and didn’t have an outlet to help her navigate her feelings and emotions. Hip-hop gave her a space to express herself and deal with life’s challenges — rap is a space to be free of judgment and self-criticism. Sinzere’s experience with hip-hop is similar to other folks looking for a way to navigate life, find connection and express themselves. For the rappers in this fifteen-minute documentary, hip-hop is transformative and identity-affirming.   Episode one of What's Your Story? is hosted and produced by Lorenzo Gavilan Vargas.   This series is powered by Shaw and produced as part of the Community Podcast Initiative at MRU Journalism.