Things That Matter by Hill-Freedman Records

4th studio album by the students of Hill-Freedman World Academy High School in Philadelphia, PA in partnership with music non-profit World Cafe Live.

The making of this 4th album from Hill-Freedman Records began in Fall 2019 with one process and concluded in Spring 2020 with another process, but always had the same focus: encouraging student artists to speak up through music about the things that matter to them. Hill-Freedman Records is part of the IB Design/Music Technology curriculum of the International Baccalaureate Programme at the school. Through that curriculum, and as part of the four-year partnership between Hill-Freedman and World Cafe Live, in the fall and winter of this year, 10th grade students explored the origins of hip-hop under the leadership of Music Technology teacher Ezechial Thurman, together with World Cafe Live teaching artists Andrew Lipke, Chill Moody and Kristal “Tytewriter” Oliver, Artist Year fellow Justin Jaramillo and marketing and promotion teaching artist Ikeya Sade. Students created samples, original beats and digital tracks and composed poetry and lyrics. When the pandemic struck, students and adults committed to making the album virtually. The result was a process of Zoom meetings and home production, online recording sessions and collaboration-by-text. While the whole 10th grade could not take part, a core of more than 15 students committed time, talent and ingenuity to make this happen. The events of the Spring of 2020—from the impact of the Coronavirus to the murder of Black people across the country, to the need to confront systemic racism and injustice in society—shook us, challenged us, outraged us and inspired us. This album is a testament to the power of speaking up.

Contains tracks

• Show Me by Hill-Freedman Records
• Things That Matter by Hill-Freedman Records
• Chaos by Hill-Freedman Records
• Clouds by Hill-Freedman Records
• 11:12 by Hill-Freedman Records