PROGRAMS

At Wheatley Elementary School, a group of 5 fifth graders just wanted to rap in Mrs. Clayton-Taylor’s creative writing class. In this class, it was normal to see students using hip hop to write and express themselves until Mrs. Clayton-Taylor challenged them. The challenge, which was actually a dare, was for the 5-fifth graders to perform at a school function that was going to celebrate Phillis Wheatley. The students accepted the challenge and named themselves the Young Prodigys.

Guess what happens when HHN2L and The Louisville Orchestra link up? Students get to rap and learn with a live orchestra! The program, which is the brainchild of Teddy Abrams, works with students to strengthen the relationship of hip hop and classical music while also providing students a new platform to expression!

Mama asked me "son when the trappin' gon' quit?" Is a lyric from the song, Tshirt by the Migos. “The Trap”, “Trappin”, “Trap House” and “Trap Music” are common terms in the hip hop community and a sub-genre of hip hop music that started in Atlanta. The meaning of the word, trap, gets its meaning from selling drugs and explains the life of growing up in the south. Many African American youths grow up in the “trap” and do not understand how systemic racism has played a part in their communities becoming “the Trap” and this is what TRAP Camp will do.

How do we stop the violence in our community? We simply use music to help heal our students who have been suffering. This project will allow students to collaborate on a city-wide album and concert that addresses the violence in our communities using Hip Hop Based Education. Hip Hop Based Education (HHBE) provides new avenues for learning, predicated on self-awareness, expression, and critical thought.