The Flywire

"Last night a Deejay saved my life," was the lyrics of a popular song back in day. So many people, especially club heads and the lovesick could relate. The perfect song, the right lyrics, harmony, sound and tempo can literally soothe you or pump you up. For hip-hop journalist Michele Amira, her love of hip-hop literally saved her as a child. Now the music she submerged herself while battling unimaginable hurdles is now the central part of her career. Maryland resident Michele Amira couldn't read or write until she was 11 years old. Growing up she battled a chronic illness along with serious learning disabilities. Hip-hop was her saving grace and soundtrack to her life. Once she learned to read and write at eleven years old she wrote a novel. What an impressive jump? From Illiterate to novelist. The book, of course, featured a supersheroe and her favorite music. She was only 14 years old when she was contracted to write Spar- kle—the same age as Diamond in the story. Sparkle is based on the author's own struggles and victories, fighting a rare life threatening illness, confronting bullying, dealing with school and just being a teen. Fast forward to now, the book is a reality. This summer The Music in Me Foundation International announced Sparkle as part of the organization's "Rap" on Reading Series. In addition, hip-hop's chart topping recording artist, Big Sean, gave his stamp of approval and wrote its foreword. Recently, she joined Big Sean on his back to school event in Detroit. The Sean Anderson Foundation made back to school for Detroit Public School students such a positive experience by providing them with book bags stuffed with supplies by Office Depot and The Music in Me Foundation International "Rap" on Reading Book Series--The Bully Blues and Sparkle. Today, Michele is a professional hip-hop journalist, ra- dio DJ, stand-up comedian and student. She is also vegan dancer with a love of hair products, hoop ear- rings, hip-hop, and New York pizza! When she's not writing about what's hot in hip-hop, she's talking about it on her hip-hop radio show, The Mecca, at University of Maryland where she is an English major. Michele Amira shown here with Big Sean in Detroit. She joined him in a back to school giveaway for Detroit Public School students. +trendsetter Hip Hop Superstar Big Sean Endorses Young Adult Novel, Sparkle, as a "Must Read" She has been published in The New York Times, The Source Magazine, MTV's Pardon My Blog, JVibe Mag- azine, Fran Drescher's Cancerschmancer's "We The Future" blog and other notable publications. She is the youngest filmmaker to be screened at The Festival de Cannes in France. She is also the recipient of the Spirit of Anne Frank Student Award and featured in Bethes- da Magazine as one of the Nation's Top Teens. Most of all, she loves to inspire others to "sparkle." Look for Sparkle, which is scheduled to hit the market soon with the release of the foundation's lastest song, featuring hip-hop recording artists Don Trunk (BaltiMotown) and Uptown XO (Secret Society Music). This young author is a blossoming, high spirited and brave young woman who enjoys life to the fullest. Her future is so bright it sparkles. Michele Amira Text: M.E. Crump

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