This is the final episode of a special three-part mini-series with finalists from the 2020 Unsung: The Voices of Youth Justice competition. Listen to all three shows to hear the personal stories of students who found the inspiration to create award-winning music.

This episode's guest, Jamil, joined us from St. Louis, Missouri for the final interview in the series. He describes himself as a poet, first and foremost, and the music supports his lyrics. His song, Decisions, contains a message about making the right choices for success. Voting is a decision that Jamil spotlights in the song. Everyone needs to participate. Jamil feels strongly about placing those elected to political office with the expectation that they will continuously help the people.

Jamil recognizes music’s universal appeal. He realizes that lyrics and messages can get through to many people when music is used as a supportive backdrop. It takes confidence and an intention of expression where truth matters most. If it stands out to the individual songwriter, it will certainly stand out to the listener.

Listen to the full finalist songs on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3a3OZXJqWMYRMPHkWF0hh05mHbjQMud4

Learn more about Unsung by visiting the BreakFree Education website: https://www.breakfree-ed.org/unsung

Learn more about Soundtrap: https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/

Hosted by Mind Rocket Media Group

Follow on Twitter: @soundtrap @breakfree_ed @EdCircuit @mindrocketmedia

This is part two of a special three-part mini-series with finalists from the 2020 Unsung: The Voices of Youth Justice competition. You'll hear the personal stories of students who found the inspiration to create award-winning music.

Andre and Dicac from Anchorage, Alaska, join this episode to discuss Rules to This, a top five song from the 2020 competition. “I’m pursuing the rapper side, and Andre is the producer,” says Dicac. They choose to make their music off impulse, finding themes that speak to their lives. In Rules to This, the songwriters begin with Rule #1, “Go get an education.” From there, opportunities have a way of opening up.

Education can come in all forms, from traditional learning to creative pursuits, but in the end, the songwriters recognize it takes a belief in self and hard work. “Music creates an ambition in you and creates a fire,” expresses Andre. It is that fire that can ignite interest in other educational interests. But it’s important not to repeat the same ones.”

Listen to the full finalist songs on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3a3OZXJqWMYRMPHkWF0hh05mHbjQMud4

Learn more about Unsung by visiting the BreakFree Education website: https://www.breakfree-ed.org/unsung

Learn more about Soundtrap: https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/

Hosted by Mind Rocket Media Group

Follow on Twitter: @soundtrap @breakfree_ed @EdCircuit @mindrocketmedia

This is part one of a special three-part mini-series with finalists from the 2020 Unsung: The Voices of Youth Justice competition. You'll hear the personal stories of students who found the inspiration to create award-winning music.

This episode's guests, Paige and Jordan, created two top five songs. They joined the show from Ventura, California to share their stories. Their first song, Second Chances, reflects on Prop 57, the criminal justice reform initiative in California that passed in 2016. Paige and Jordan were both tried at 16 years old with long sentences, but through Prop 57, they received a second chance. They were able to serve their sentence in the juvenile system rather than carrying out extended never-ending sentences in the county system. In their song Racial Injustice, they take a hard look at the pain racism still causes today.

Music became their vehicle to express personal stories and make their voice heard. As they explored and freestyled, a new way of expression opened up. They let the pain speak through the lyrics and started to understand their true talent for speaking truth. They touch on the idea that being silent often serves to suppress, and there's a certain power in speaking up that has a way of creating positive avenues for change.

Listen to the full finalist songs on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3a3OZXJqWMYRMPHkWF0hh05mHbjQMud4

Learn more about Unsung by visiting the BreakFree Education website: https://www.breakfree-ed.org/unsung

Learn more about Soundtrap: https://www.soundtrap.com/edu/

Hosted by Mind Rocket Media Group

Follow on Twitter: @soundtrap @breakfree_ed @EdCircuit @mindrocketmedia

This presentation is part of the Soundtrap EDU Summit, a FREE online event for educators with the theme: "Their Voice, Their World." For more information, visit http://edu.soundtrap.com/summit.

The sponsor of the summit is Soundtrap, a collaborative and creative audio editing platform. Soundtrap for Education empowers students and teachers to explore creative sound recording in all subjects, for all ages and ability levels.

For more information, visit http://soundtrap.com/edu.  You can sign up for the FREE online course to learn how to bring music and podcasting to your classroom at http://academy.soundtrap.com.

This presentation is part of the Soundtrap EDU Summit, a FREE online event for educators with the theme: "Their Voice, Their World." For more information, visit http://edu.soundtrap.com/summit.

The sponsor of the summit is Soundtrap, a collaborative and creative audio editing platform. Soundtrap for Education empowers students and teachers to explore creative sound recording in all subjects, for all ages and ability levels.

For more information, visit http://soundtrap.com/edu.  You can sign up for the FREE online course to learn how to bring music and podcasting to your classroom at http://academy.soundtrap.com.

This presentation is part of the Soundtrap EDU Summit, a FREE online event for educators with the theme: "Their Voice, Their World." For more information, visit http://edu.soundtrap.com/summit.

The sponsor of the summit is Soundtrap, a collaborative and creative audio editing platform. Soundtrap for Education empowers students and teachers to explore creative sound recording in all subjects, for all ages and ability levels.

For more information, visit http://soundtrap.com/edu.  You can sign up for the FREE online course to learn how to bring music and podcasting to your classroom at http://academy.soundtrap.com.

This presentation is part of the Soundtrap EDU Summit, a FREE online event for educators with the theme: "Their Voice, Their World." For more information, visit http://edu.soundtrap.com/summit.

The sponsor of the summit is Soundtrap, a collaborative and creative audio editing platform. Soundtrap for Education empowers students and teachers to explore creative sound recording in all subjects, for all ages and ability levels.

For more information, visit http://soundtrap.com/edu.  You can sign up for the FREE online course to learn how to bring music and podcasting to your classroom at http://academy.soundtrap.com.

This presentation is part of the Soundtrap EDU Summit, a FREE online event for educators with the theme: "Their Voice, Their World." For more information, visit http://edu.soundtrap.com/summit.

The sponsor of the summit is Soundtrap, a collaborative and creative audio editing platform. Soundtrap for Education empowers students and teachers to explore creative sound recording in all subjects, for all ages and ability levels.

For more information, visit http://soundtrap.com/edu.  You can sign up for the FREE online course to learn how to bring music and podcasting to your classroom at http://academy.soundtrap.com.

This presentation is part of the Soundtrap EDU Summit, a FREE online event for educators with the theme: "Their Voice, Their World." For more information, visit http://edu.soundtrap.com/summit.  

The sponsor of the summit is Soundtrap, a collaborative and creative audio editing platform. Soundtrap for Education empowers students and teachers to explore creative sound recording in all subjects, for all ages and ability levels. 

For more information, visit http://soundtrap.com/edu.  You can sign up for the FREE online course to learn how to bring music and podcasting to your classroom at http://academy.soundtrap.com.

This Summer, students around the world showed that their passion to create goes beyond the walls of the classroom.

They have reminded us of the power of music to motivate, engage, and inspire. And the power of podcasts to fuel deeper conversations.

These students, with the help of their teachers, participated in the Soundtrap Summer Creative Challenge. We received tons of truly impressive songs and podcasts, and we’ve collected a few of our favorites here. Have a listen to the work of some exceptional students.