Micah Richards and Kid British vocalist Adio Marchant attended the launch of a new recording studio.
The duo's visit at the official opening at the Sporting Edge Community Sports Centre in Openshaw was part of this year's Premier League Places for Players initiative.
The studio has been built with funding from the Brit Trust as part of their support of the club's successful Kickz initiative.
Young people
Kickz is a football-based social inclusion project delivered by City in the Community (CITC) that provides activities for young people between the ages of 13-19 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.
With the opening of the new studio, young people take part in weekly open mic sessions as the hunt for the next Eminem and 50 Cent continues.
Youngsters will be able to write, produce and record their own music, with The Prince's Trust, Manchester City Council and 4CT also providing support to the recording studio.
Micah was impressed by a quartet of young rappers who performed a brief set for those gathered, but didn't take the decks on this occasion.
Recording studio
"I was tempted," laughed the England defender. "I thought I'd leave it to the professionals on this occasion, though.
"I think this project is fantastic because it gives talented kids an outlet that they may not have otherwise had. Who knows where it could lead for them?"
Dave Coppin, CITC's Inclusion manager, added: "The young people involved in Kickz are very passionate about music and the new recording studio will allow us to combine two of the things for which Manchester is most renowned - football and music."
A grant of £10,000 from the Brit Trust has also enabled the young people involved in Kickz to record their second CD, Kickz Sessions: Volume Two, which will now go on sale in the City Store, with all proceeds going to CITC.
The Kickz project is managed nationally by the Football Foundation and delivered on the ground by professional clubs' community coaches. It uses the power of football to create stronger, safer and more respectful communities by developing young people's potential.
The Blues have been involved in Kickz since August 2006 and runs two projects at the Platt Lane Leisure Complex in Fallowfield and a second scheme at Sporting Edge.
Up to 300 young people a week are given the opportunity to play football, work out in the gym, take part in various studio workshops and complete qualifications.
Click here for more Leagues news >
