R.H.Y.M.E X CHINESE-AMERICAN PLANNING COUNCIL SUMMER INTENSIVE AT IS 220

Empowering Young Voices Through Hip-Hop at IS 220: THRIVE Collective’s R.H.Y.M.E. & B.E.A.T.S. Summer Intensive

This summer, high school students in Brooklyn took a deep dive into the heart of hip-hop through THRIVE Collective’s R.H.Y.M.E. (Rhymes Help Young Minds Excel) and B.E.A.T.S. (Building Engineering and Audio Tech Skills) programs. In partnership with CPC (Chinese-American Planning Council) and Projectivity, at IS 220. The six-week summer intensive offered a creative, skills-based journey into rap, music theory, and beat making.

Led by THRIVE teaching artists Caleb and Brandon, students met weekly to explore hip-hop not only as an art form, but as a powerful tool for expression and cultural exploration. They engaged in music listening sessions as a form of archival research, uncovering the roots, evolution, and impact of hip-hop and its place in the broader music landscape.

From writing and recording original lyrics to experimenting with production tools, students learned how to turn their thoughts into tracks—building confidence, creativity, and collaboration along the way. This program gave young artists a platform to express their truths and shape the future of music, one beat at a time.

Special thanks to the CPC, IS 220, all of the participating students, Caleb, Brandon and Eric Mason for capturing the footage.