Minnesota’s HSRA Leads the Way: Saving the Lives of Youth Via Hip-Hop

The state of Minnesota is leading the way in demonstrating hip-hop’s power to shape culture and save lives. Here’s what they are doing.

HSRA (Highschool of the Recording Arts: Invests in the Future

Whitney Houston once crooned, “[She] believed that children were our future, teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them the beauty they possess inside.” And in Minnesota, David T.C. Ellis is doing just that. His creation, HSRA, affectionately known as Hip-hop High, stands as a testament to his commitment and the positive outcomes it has yielded. Over the years, Hip-hop High has indeed functioned as a beacon of hope for countless young individuals in Minnesota, making a significant impact on their lives and even, in some cases, saving them.

The Difference Maker

HSRA. Image Source: HSRA

How does one use education and music to save lives? They do so by developing a curriculum that reaches the student where they are at. And this is what Hip-hop High has mastered.

Hip Hop High School isn’t your typical educational institution. It’s a public school with a distinctive mission of transforming its students’ lives through a uniquely crafted curriculum. According to The 74,

“HSRA teaches core subjects through a musical lens, enabling students to develop skills and agency to deal with real-world issues.”

The program’s effectiveness is undeniably clear, and the testimonials of students like Cameron Keys underscore this. In fact, Keys enthusiastically attributes his life’s transformation to the institution, going as far as to say it saved him. As The 74 records, according to Keys,

“HSRA help put him on a pathway to where he is in life now — living in Tennessee with his wife and working a stable job as a Walmart manager.”

Ultimately, it’s not astonishing to witness such remarkable outcomes. When a project is fueled by genuine passion and unwavering love, the results it produces are unquestionably powerful and impactful.

Ellis’s Dream: HSRA

Interestingly, Ellis didn’t initially set out to establish HSRA; rather, it emerged from his heartfelt desire to contribute positively to his community. According to HSRA, in 1996, Ellis endeavored to start a pilot program. It is noted,

“Ellis started Studio 4 as a recording production studio.”

Amazingly, the youth came in droves. Recognizing the thirst in the community and seeing a young populace in need spurred him to stretch. Those seedlings of inspiration eventually led to the development of an “educational pilot program.” So, in 1998, what began as a spark was fully manifested. And the HSRA continues to grow and be a haven in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Why This is Important

Such a gesture stands out in the context of Hip-hop’s 50th anniversary. In Ellis’ work, he activates the fifth fundamental pillar of hip-hop, knowledge, one on which all others rest. He illustrates what hip-hop really means as a force of change and progress.

As Midination highlights, Bambaataa’s vision of hip-hop envisioned it as a catalyst for social change, a vision that emphasizes the importance of imparting knowledge, guiding individuals toward understanding, and facilitating practical implementation. This aligns perfectly with the mission and purpose of HSRA, which is dedicated to precisely these principles.

So, at FM Hip Hop, we tip our hats to David TC Ellis for not only talking about change, but being the change.

Written by: Renae Richardson