UPCOMING EVENTS
Essex County College Summer Youth Program
HIP HOP – a STEAM Journey
Offered by Essex County College in conjunction with the Lyrics Matter FoundationTM
Taught & designed by Hip-Hop Artist Rah Digga
Session I: Ages 10 – 13 (current)
Students will dive into the creative process of making Hip Hop music while exploring the science, technology, engineering, art and math behind it. Through music and education, participants learn to navigate challenges, foster self-expression, and create a sense of belonging. By merging the innovation of S.T.E.A.M. with the cultural power of Hip Hop, we’re shaping future leaders, creators, and changemakers. Each student will have played a role in the completed track(s) that represents their creativity, voice, and understanding of S.T.E.A.M. Computer and recreational activities are included.
Click HERE to learn more.
Lyrics Matter Foundation Presents: The Salon Series Pt. 2 x Newark Arts Festival
The second installment of our Salon Series is underway with a special surprise guest!
Lyrics Matter Foundation Presents: The Salon Series Pt. 1 x North To Shore
The Lyrics Matter Foundation Announces its Inaugural Salon Series Event!
The series is a gathering of cultural creatives – established, indie & buzzing and emerging – to network, enjoy beverages, lite bites, a live music performance hosted and curated by founder Rah Digga.
The organization is an international consulting firm whose purpose is to conduct skills-based workshops for adolescents ages 16-24. The series reflects on that mission by featuring a fireside chat with the Grammy nominated multi-platinum selling artist and founder Rah Diggga - in an educational one-on-one dialogue with a music industry professional - about the business of music and entertainment.
The inaugural Salon Series event will take place on June 27, 2024 from 6pm-9pm at Clement’s Place, located at at 15 Washington Street, downtown Newark in partnership with Rutgers University - Newark’s Institute of Jazz Studies. The highlight conversation features Rah Digga In Conversation with Grammy Award nominated Multiplatinum Record Producer Just Blaze. Justin Smith (born in Paterson, New Jersey), better known as Just Blaze, is an American hip hop music producer. Just Blaze has produced tracks for The Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Usher, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes, The Game, DMX, T.I., Fat Joe, and Ghostface Killah, just to name a few.
The Lyrics Matter Foundation’s Salon Series was recently named an Official Selection of North To Shore Festival - the State of New Jersey’s yearly three city music and arts festival.
Lyrics Matter Heads To Taiwan!
Lyrics Matter teams up with Next Level to bring Hip Hop workshops and programming to Taiwan this spring on behalf of the US Government.
Next Level works with U.S. embassies and consulates to create two-week residencies that reach underserved communities and youth. Teams of four American Hip Hop artist-educators collaborate with local organizations and musicians to facilitate workshops, lecture- demonstrations, and master classes, as well as formal and informal live performances. All activities are designed to promote the mutual sharing of knowledge, values, perspectives, and respect between local communities and American artists. Workshops, which span several hours each day, emphasize the development of musical and entrepreneurial skills and promote conflict transformation strategies. A final public performance concludes each residency, and professional-grade musical equipment is donated to local partners to encourage continued learning and growth.
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs promotes international mutual understanding through a wide range of academic, cultural, private-sector, professional, and sports exchange programs. These exchanges engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and emerging leaders in many fields in the United States and in more than 160 countries. Alumni of ECA exchanges comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 50 Nobel Laureates and more than 320 current or former heads of state and government.
