Soundshop
Soundshop is a hip-hop music education program for local high school students, encouraging them to cultivate independent thinking and celebrate their unique voices.
Held in a safe, dynamic learning environment, Soundshop provides students with opportunities to develop creative thinking, to take risks, and collaborate.
See a video of Soundshop in action
What to expect
The workshops feature seasoned local artists and award-winning musicians. One three-hour workshop comprises four main components:
1
Meet & Greet
Introductory performances by guest artists and senior administrators.
2
Discussion
Group discussions focusing on specific topics related to artist’s creative process, narrative construction, and social and cultural critical thinking.
3
Breakout Groups
Students break out into groups for lyric writing and beat-making led by artists and senior administrators
4
Student Performances
The workshop concludes with performances by the students that summarize the lessons learned.
Meet the leadership team
Navid Najafi
Nā Hōkū Hanohano Hip Hop Album of the Year award winner in 2012 and 2013, Navid is one of the most respected and highly regarded emcees in Hawai‘i. A graduate of the University of Hawai‘i, Navid is a dedicated volunteer and youth facilitator in his community.
Scott Ohtoro
Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-nominated music producer/DJ/musician, Ohtoro is a member of hip-hop band Super Groupers and has worked with the likes of Aloe Blacc, DJ Cheapshot, Exile, and Abstract Rule. A former high school math teacher in south Los Angeles and Kapolei, he uses his classroom knowledge to make learning meaningful and engaging.
Punahele
Hailing from Mākaha on Oahu’s west side, Punahele rose to prominence in Hawai‘i’s hip-hop’s underground scene, eventually becoming Bacardiʻs first Iron MC Champion in 2015. He has performed and collaborated with artists of Hawai‘i’s punk, reggae, and contemporary Hawaiian genres. His style of fusing East Coast lyricism, West Coast flare, and a powerful and soulful Southern style of delivery makes him a force to be reckoned with on stage, while his grassroots viewpoint as a Native Hawaiian gives listeners an authentic local experience.
Rukka
Born on O‘ahu, Rukka the Magnificent produces beats, records and mixes music, and produces in his own studio. He has seven albums, plus two instrumental beat tapes. He is a current member of the Universal Zulu Nation, an international organization that spreads positivity through hip-hop. He stays involved in his community doing outreach through Each One Feed One and conducting music workshops at Honowai Elementary School and Palama Settlement.
PaizLee
PaizLee has been teaching individual and group voice classes since 2011, after being invited to be one of the first wave of mentors at Halau Ku Mana Hawaiian Charter School thru the Mana Maoli (now Mana Mele) program. Her voice classes are tailored to the goals and needs of each student, focusing on developing the ear through listening, mirroring, developing creative intuition and learning to care for the body as an instrument.
Cedric Clinton
Raised on the south shore of Oahu, Cedric Clinton is a hip hop artist & entrepreneur. He is the founder of lifestyle brand Chi Funk, Co-Founder Of Bounce Back Hip Hop & the owner of Squeeze Play which is a local screen printing & graphic design company.
Illis It
An independent artist heavily influenced by underground hip-hop, Illis It brings to the table hard-hitting, complex lyrics mixed with a dark yet vibrant style. Often speaking out on controversial topics, he shares a message of unity through music by advocating the right to mental, physical, and emotional freedom.
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