Youth culture has always been associated with alienation, rebellion, crime, drugs and other antisocial activities. However, it is the aim of Dogg-Pound to demonstrate the positive image of today's youth in music.

Young people, particularly those from Aboriginal, refugee and ethnic backgrounds struggle with difficulties in a different mainstream culture. Recognising and celebrating this diversity is an important goal of Dogg-Pound.

Dogg-Pound have a regular cast of rappers-singers, hip-hop dancers and DJ's available for performances and workshops at community festivals and schools as well as paid private performances and private functions across Australia.

Our hip-hop workshops are designed to bring out freedom of expression. Everyone is encouraged to’ have a go’.  The kids learn street dancing styles of R&B, reggae, breaking, singing and rapping, DJ mixing.

Music is always a topic of conversation that not only interests the young but can give them a sense of belonging.

It is a common ground that can pave the way to other topics and can earn a child's trust and respect. Thus building self esteem and positive creativity within the individual.

The highlight of any Dogg Pound workshop are the B'Boys and B'Girls (pictured below) Break Dancing is a combination of all forms of dance. It's energetic, exciting and dynamic.

At the Adelaide Come-out Festival in 2001 we discovered some young talent in the crowd. These guys were keen to RAP their message to their young audience. (pictured right)

Aswon began training with the Orchestra Jazira at the Afrikan Centre in London. He worked predominantly with Afro/Jazz/Fusion sounds where he was in great demand for Session Work as a Percussionist.  In the 1980's, Aswon was the original musical Director for the all women reggae band, Amazulu.

From 1983-2002 he has performed with many renowned artists.
Dennis Bovell, Denis Brown, Bob Andy, Afrikan Connection and Sophie Lee, Painters and Dockers, Sonny Morgan, and many others. Aswon also spent time working with Sunset (roots reggae band) who backed various singers such as Pat Kelly, The Fari Daughters, Junior Delgado, Black Roots and Carol Thompson.

He was founder, Musical Director and percussionist for his band Farenji Warriors. He toured Europe through Italy, France, Holland, Germany, Spain and the United Kingdom - supporting such artists as Curtis Mayfield, Gil Scot Hern, Tania Maria, Aswad, Taj Mahal, Hugh Masekela. They performed at internationally acclaimed music festivals including: Bordeaur Jazz Festival France, Redding Jazz Music Festival, Camden Jazz Festival London, (all with great reviews. )

Leaving London for Australia in 1986 to be with his wife and children, Aswon brought with him his rich roots reggae culture.  He sought to develop more reggae music in Australia and soon formed a new band called ‘Dread Affair.  Managed by Mark Edgley (Edgley Entertainment) he successfully toured Australia with his band. 1996 Aswon took a visit his homeland Jamaica.  He returned to Australia and sponsored international singer Bob Andy to Australia to perform and tour with them. Touring and exposure became very extensive over this period of time and Aswon’s skills as a DJ/MC rapper, singer and ‘dub poet were in great demand throughout the pubs and clubs. He was the in house DJ for the very successful ‘Club Dread’ which ran for three years in Perth.

Aswon started the workshops as a way of reaching young people and teaching them to work with music. Aswon identifies with the need for young people to express themselves through music. He has participated and encouraged many youth projects.  ‘Cultural Rap 97 was the first ever and only one of it’s kind proved to be a huge success creating the momentum from which follow up activities were developed. ‘Dogg-Pound’ has continued to inspire the creativity of young people to develop in music and dance.

“Although Jamaica is an English speaking country I do have a second language. Jamaican culture and beliefs are so diverse as it is a very multicultural country. You learn from an early age to adapt and respect peoples differences. Being a musician brings me into contact with large groups of young people from all sorts of backgrounds and cultures. I enjoy being with young people and I have never had a problem with understanding or grasping what is expected of me. In fact, I find you can learn a lot from listening to young people who come from different speaking backgrounds.  For us this has to be the way. The Rap, the Dance, the Music - this is what young people need, not sometimes, but all the time.”

1997, The Dogg Pound Workshop and performance was highly Commended in the category of Leisure Programs by the Total Solutions Technology Leisure Industry Awards.

In 1999 Country Arts successfully toured Dogg-Pound throughout North and South Regions of West Australia conducting workshops and performing with young people. 2001 the group completed successful tours to regions in and around Adelaide and Tasmania. Both with Adelaide regional Arts, the Come-out Festival and the Tasmanian Regional Arts.

Aswon is happy to talk anytime about bringing Dogg-Pound to your area.