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NT superstar Jessica Mauboy takes on new project, recording rap songs to Aussie children’s books to promote youth reading

JESS Mauboy’s new project is a change of tune for the NT songstress.

Jessica Mauboy and more perform at Fire Fight Australia

IT took singing a rap song to kids book Pig the Pug to make NT pop star Jessica Mauboy cool to her nieces and nephews.

“Now I am relevant,” Mauboy laughed when speaking to News Corp.

“It was hilarious when I told them.

“I played it to my family and tested it on my nieces and nephews and now I am cool apparently.

“They’ve read these books in class and now Aunty Jess is reading them, so they think it is cool. It makes me smile.”

Jessica Mauboy in Centennial Park in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Jessica Mauboy in Centennial Park in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd

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Clearly Mauboy’s five nieces and nephews are tough markers given she is one of our most successful singers with countless accolades to her name.

The 31-year-old says they’ve given the thumbs up to her latest project, recording rap tunes to classic Aussie kids books Pig the Pug and Dharma the Llama to promote reading to young people.

It is an initiative from retailer Big W aimed at putting a surprising twist to story time and something Mauboy said was a no-brainer to sign up to given the year that has been with many children unable to go to school due to coronavirus.

Sophie, 10, and Luke, 11, Bartolo with Jessica Mauboy and Myra Rangras, 6, with some kids reading books, in Centennial Park in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd
Sophie, 10, and Luke, 11, Bartolo with Jessica Mauboy and Myra Rangras, 6, with some kids reading books, in Centennial Park in Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd

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“During these times, I feel kids have been couped up so it is a time to rebuild and do something fun,” she said.

“Reading skills are basic tools we need to make sure our kids have in life so for me it was about bringing the familiarity of listening a song to learning.

“All I needed to do was relax my vocal box, not try too hard, rap talk in an Australian accent and just give it some chilled, cool vibes.”

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nt-superstar-jessica-mauboy-takes-on-new-project-recording-rap-songs-to-aussie-childrens-books-to-promote-youth-reading/news-story/0eae6b63f10c7420565ea55f98859bdd