The Real Young Prodigys Program:
Creating Lyrics to Action
Genesis Hatchett, a TRYP member and TRYP Producer, speaking at the Department of Justice on behalf of Brown v. Board of Education about The Real Young Prodigys Program and how students in the program use the art hip hop and music to impact youth voice.
The Real Young Prodigys Program (TRYP) is a Creative Youth Development performance program where young people transform lived experience into lyrics—and lyrics into action. Through hip hop, public speaking, and live performance, youth step into their voice, take up space, and tell their truth out loud.
In TRYP, action is expression.
Action is being seen.
Action is being heard.
This is Where Lyrics to Action Begins
![The Real Young Prodigys - CROWN Remix [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/iqs4XH6ecO0/maxresdefault.jpg)
![The Real Young Prodigys - The G.O.A.T. [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LSbP2UUUq1I/sddefault.jpg)
![The Real Young Prodigys - Justice 4 All [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/6SKUv0xL1Os/maxresdefault.jpg)
It Starts With a Story
A story rooted in Ali, Breonna Taylor, and how hair became a language of healing for a city.
The Spark
When Muhammad Ali passed away, students at Wheatley Elementary felt the loss deeply. They wanted to honor his legacy in the way they knew best—through music.
Students wrote a song, recorded it in a studio, and filmed a video declaring they would carry his legacy forward and become the next generation of greatness.
That moment sparked something new.
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The Voice
One of the founding youth, DeVonn Pitney, named the group The Real Young Prodigys—a declaration that young people could carry history, purpose, and power in their own voices.
When Breonna Taylor was killed, the work deepened. DeVonn wrote a song about how Breonna’s death impacted her life. TRYP youth organized a march, filmed the video, and used performance to process grief and demand to be heard.
The Action
From there, the focus turned to hair—its beauty, its meaning, and how it has been used to police Black identity. Youth wrote CROWN Remix, celebrating natural hair and honoring Breonna’s beauty.
Their voices reach beyond the stage.
This is how The Real Young Prodigys was born—and how Lyrics to Action lives.
Meet D’Angelia
The New York Times–featured TRYP artist, D’Angelia, shows Lyrics to Action in motion.
Through writing and performance, she explored identity, dignity, and natural hair—helping spark a national conversation about why protections like the CROWN Act matter.
From Voice to City Ordinance
Through the song, CROWN, TRYP youth turned truth into advocacy—helping spark conversations, speak to lawmakers, and contribute to the passage of Louisville’s own CROWN Act Ordinance.
City Ordinance to State Wide Youth Action
Over 1,000 youth rallied in Frankfort to advocate for the CROWN Act, helping bring the issue to the Kentucky floor and into public conversation. Through the rally, TRYP youth witnessed what’s possible when people work together—seeing firsthand how collective action and bipartisan support can move an issue onto the state stage.
More Lyrics. More Actions.
Lyrics to Action Takes Many Forms
In The Real Young Prodigys Program, action does not look the same for every song.
Some lyrics spark policy conversations.
Others create space for healing, grief, and resistance.
All of them move something forward.
Youth decide what their voices need to do.
Each song below reflects youth responding to the world through voice, visibility, and choice. Songs are developed, packaged, and released using industry-standard practices—resulting in professional releases, including work that has received GRAMMY® consideration.
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From Grief to Healing
Journey to Eden was created by TRYP youth as a response to violence impacting their lives and communities.
Rather than turning away from grief, students chose to face it—using music as a way to mourn, to remember, and to imagine something different.
Journey to Eden gave youth space to name loss, fear, and anger while still holding onto hope.
This was not about glorifying violence.
It was about refusing to accept it as normal.
Mentorship to Professionalism
How Ideas Are Cultivated in the TRYP Program
Students in TRYP work alongside professional producers and choreographers who guide song creation, performance, and stage presence. These mentors model real-world creative processes—supporting youth to refine their artistry, build confidence, and release work with intention.
Students Receive Mentoring from Industry Professionals
Students in TRYP work directly with professional music producers who guide them through songwriting, recording, and creative decision-making—helping youth turn ideas into finished music while staying true to their voice.
Students Receive Studio Time that transports their Ideas to Recording
After mentorship, students enter the studio to develop, record, and refine their ideas—transforming lyrics into finished songs with intention and care.
Students Receive Choreography & Stage Performance Mentorship
Students in TRYP receive coaching in movement, stage presence, and performance from experienced artists. Through choreography and live rehearsal, youth learn how to command the stage, express emotion through movement, and perform with confidence and intention.
Students Receive Voice Development
Students in TRYP receive coaching focused on vocal expression, projection, and confidence. Through guided practice and feedback, youth learn how to use their voice with intention—on stage, in the studio, and in conversation.
Mentorship to Professionalism
Beyond the Stage
Beyond the Stage, TRYP prepares youth to use their voice in public, civic, and global spaces—building confidence to speak, lead, and represent their stories beyond performance.
Students Receive Writing and Public Speaking Development
Through TRYP, students develop the confidence and skill to perform, speak publicly, and represent their stories in professional and global spaces. TRYP youth have gone on to present, facilitate, and speak internationally—using their voice beyond the stage.
Students Receive Feedback from Business Professionals
Students receive feedback from business and community professionals, like Brown Foreman—learning how to refine their message, communicate with confidence, and present their ideas with clarity and purpose.
From Feedback to Local Change
Students brought their voice to local school board meetings—speaking publicly to advocate for the reinstatement of busing and demonstrating how youth voice can influence decisions that affect their daily lives.
From Feedback to Global Stages
Through feedback from business and community professionals, students refine their message, strengthen their confidence, and apply their voice on international stages and leadership platforms.
Antonio "T-Made" Taylor
Antonio is the TRYP Program and Creative Director. He works as the musical producer and works with students to create their art. To learn more about Antonio "T-Made" Taylor hit the link below:
Who TRYP Is For?
Do you like to create art?
Do you like to write, perform, or tell stories?
Do you like speaking in front of a crowd—or want to build the confidence to try?
Do you like acting, making music, or creating podcasts?
If you have something to say and want a space to express it, TRYP might be for you.
TRYP serves elementary, middle, and high school youth who are ready to use their voice through music, performance, and storytelling. Students audition for the program and participate through Hip Hop Into Learning’s RAP School pathway, which prepares youth for collaboration, mentorship, and performance at this level.
You don’t have to be a professional.
You just have to be willing to show up and share.
Want to join?
TRYP is an audition-based program. Participation in the Louisville Orchestra RAP School pathway is required prior to auditioning.
We are a Program Grounded in Care
TRYP recognizes that creativity and expression are closely connected to emotional well-being. Youth participate in spaces that prioritize trust, affirmation, and belonging, with access to supportive adults and wellness-informed practices.
TRYP does not replace mental health services—but it is part of HHN2L’s broader commitment to creating safe, healing-centered environments for youth.
Want to know more about HHN2L’s Hip Hop & Mental Health or READ. HEAL. FLOW.
