Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Rap America Project Boise Earns 2nd Consecutive NEA & City Arts Grant for Youth Hip-Hop Empowerment

Boise, Idaho — October 6, 2025 — Rap America Project Boise (RAP) is proud to announce that, for the second year in a row, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) together with the City of Boise Department of Arts & History has awarded funding to support its mission of empowering youth through hip-hop arts education.

This renewed grant underscores RAP’s growing impact in the Treasure Valley, offering young people free access to music-making, mentorship, and public performance opportunities. The project is hosted by the nonprofit Boise Hive, a community music hub that provides rehearsal space, resources, and wellness support for artists of all ages.

A Program Designed for Access & Expression

RAP was designed by Brenda Francis, Audio Educator, who recognized that hip-hop uniquely removes barriers to music education. “Not every young person can sing or play an instrument, but every young person has a story,” Brenda explains. “With rap, they simply need to write their story or experiences down and learn to deliver them in rhythm over a beat. That accessibility is why it reaches a wide youth demographic.”

This model allows teens who may have never participated in formal music programs to discover their voices, build confidence, and connect with peers through creativity.

Summer Music Camp & Ongoing Workshops

At the heart of RAP’s programming is its free summer music camp for youth ages 13–17. During the week-long camp, participants:

• Learn beat making and digital music production techniques
• Develop songwriting and lyric writing skills rooted in storytelling
• Practice performance, stage presence, and microphone technique
• Collaborate in small groups to write, record, and perform original songs
• Receive mentorship from local producers, artists, and educators

Each camp culminates in a public showcase performance, giving students the real-world experience of presenting their own work to a live audience.

Beyond the camp, RAP continues to host workshops and performances throughout the year. While the summer program is youth-specific, the team is also committed to creating adult workshops and community performance opportunities, ensuring that the art of hip-hop remains inclusive and multigenerational.

Impact & Community Vision

This grant funding allows RAP to broaden its reach, particularly to youth who may not otherwise have access to arts education. Participants gain not just technical music skills, but also vital life skills—confidence, collaboration, critical thinking, and the ability to tell their stories authentically.

National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson has praised initiatives like RAP, stating that “projects like RAP exemplify the creativity and care with which communities are telling their stories, creating connection, and responding to challenges … through the arts.”

Looking Ahead

With the renewed support from NEA and the City of Boise Arts & History, RAP plans to:

• Increase the number of workshop participants
• Expand community performance opportunities and venues
• Enhance access to tools and resources for music production and recording

There is a great team of local hip hop artists that are involved with the project: Cornell Johnson AKA Zero, Jordan AKA Axiom Tha Wyze, Tasha Murphy AKA Benevolence or B-Love, Andy Heikkila, AKA Andy Idaho, and Jackson Wickard AKA Aspect. Jackson Wickard was a participant the first year and due to his passion and hard work is now on staff. “Rap America Project has been fun for me to learn more about music, meet new people, and collaborate within the region,” Brenda adds. “I recently volunteered at the City’s junior high after-school programs to lead music and art circles and to let teens know about an exciting new offering. Boise’s Parks & Recreation Department has invited us to teach a teen class, which we are calling Hip Hop Immersion. It will launch in January and meet on Wednesday nights 6-7:30pm, giving more teens an opportunity to explore their creativity through hip hop music, culture, and music beats.”

Registration & Participation
Spaces for the 2026 summer camp (ages 13–17) remain limited, but registration is free. Adult workshop opportunities will also be announced. Visit rapamericaproject.com to learn more or register. Anyone who registers (which is a quick and easy process) or signs up for the newsletter will be kept posted on all events hosted by the Rap America Project.

For more information about all of the Boise Hive’s programs that benefit the musician community visit: https://boisehive.org/

For press inquiries, media interviews, or additional information, please contact:
Brenda Francis
Project Director & Audio Educator, Rap America Project
Email: brenda@rapamericaproject.com
Phone: 208-999-7978