Cornell Johnson AKA ZERO is a hip hop artist based out of Boise, Idaho. Influenced by artists such as Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Common and many other conscious artists, ZERO takes his artistry into a new dimension. He captures fans with real life stories told through his music, which resonates with a refreshingly real honesty.

Having grown up in a foster home, he started a career as a Youth Advocate with Boise Parks and Recreation in 2012. As the years passed, he became more immersed in his community and helped in any way that he could. Recently, he joined forces with Idaho Fine Arts Academy, aiding them with their music recital as well as performing with them.

Cornell aims to inspire youth, especially by helping with achieving self-love and self-discipline within themselves.

Brenda Francis has worked with the Boise Hive since 2016 serving as the audio educator. She teaches recording classes and leads a community drum circle. In 2005 she founded a nonprofit organization that focuses on teens, music, and job training after graduating with a Bachelor degree in Art & Entertainment Management and a Master’s in Business Administration. She continues to serve on the Board of Directors of this organization, Modesto Sound, while teaching audio technology classes in Idaho at several locations.

Her past work experience includes Audio Engineer (recording over 500 artists and creating hundreds of radio shows) at Modesto Sound, Treasurer at the Modesto Symphony, Manager at the Brubeck Jazz Music Camp, and Audio Technology Professor at University of the Pacific. In 2020 Brenda designed a project called Creative Culture Beats, a cultural awareness audio podcast and performance showcase that pays artists, which continues to serve the Boise, Idaho community.

Rick developed a love for music at a very early age, his mom was a gospel singer. Growing up in New York City he absorbed the sounds of the streets. He heard congos and bongos when visiting relatives in the South Bronx or friends in Spanish Harlem. In Little Italy he could hear Frank Sanatra singing from an open window. When he headed up to Harlem he was guaranteed to hear that Motown Sound. He remembers as a kid while in the studio waiting to take piano lessons, his teacher would have Bach and Beethoven playing in the wings. By the late 70’s early 80’s, he was immersed in a new culture that emerged from New York. The culture was Hip Hop and the sound was rap!

In 2000, Rick moved to Boise, Idaho and opened Rix Entertainment Group LLC. He is respected by local artists, producers, promoters and music industry professionals. He has coached artists through the creative process in Idaho, resulting in award-winning songs and performances.

Amy Cole is the owner of Sure Leader, LLC in Mountain Home, Idaho. She connects with business owners around the world to help them reach their ideal clients. Amy believes in helping people use their talents to lift others and improve the world around them. She is often found acting in plays and singing with her band when she’s not working.

Hunter has been producing beats for seven years. He has taught others how to use the MPC drum machine (music production hardware) along with the art of sampling, for three years. He works at Rocky Mountain Audiovisual as an assistant Deejay for Soundwave Events. He has experience doing freestyling and encourages others to perform at Boise Hive’s ‘Hip Hop at the Hive.’

Alex Gamble, Role at Rap America Project: Audio Recording Engineer & Graphic Designer

Alex Gamble is a life-long musician who became involved in audio engineering shortly after graduating from University of Idaho with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree specializing in Studio Art & Architecture. He has been leading the live sound reinforcement stage crew with the Boise Hive since August of 2021, and has recorded over 20 local bands at the Boise Hive. Alex believes strongly in a learn-by-doing approach to music and audio production, and hopes to see such opportunities expanded throughout the community.