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.

Things That Matter

Lyrics & vocals by Fatou Thione & Camya Bradley; Music by Fatou Thione, Camya Bradley & Andrew Lipke, Vocal production by Kristal Oliver

© 2021 Hill-Freedman Records.  All rights reserved.

Obstacles

Lyrics by Ibrahim Yansaneh; Vocals by Bethlehem Roberson: Music by Ibrahim Yansaneh, Christian Harrison & Andrew Lipke

© 2021 Hill-Freedman Records.  All rights reserved.

Lucky Day

Lyrics, music & vocals by Julyssa Pelliton; Backing vocals & vocal production by Kristal Oliver

© 2021 Hill-Freedman Records.  All rights reserved.

Camouflage

Hill-Freedman Records launched the making of its 6th album by exploring and celebrating the music of artists and producers from diverse genres from Pop to Reggae and Country. These artists and producers, who included Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Bob Marley, and Charlie Pride spanned decades and represented a range of musical genres and cultures. As part of Hill-Freedman World Academy’s Music Technology course (an integral part of the school’s International Baccalaureate curriculum), and under the leadership of teacher Ezechial Thurman and WHYY Media Lab’s Lisa Wilk, 10th graders at Hill-Freedman created video documentaries about these artists, and researched their music to find inspiration for their own songwriting. From this research, and from the students’ own experiences and stories, the theme of “Growing Up Black” emerged as a theme for the album.

In the second half of the school year, Mr. Thurman, the students, were joined by a team of teaching artists from Hill-Freedman’s long-time lead partner, Philadelphia independent, non profit music organization World Cafe Live. WCL teaching artists Kristal Oliver, Bethlehem the Vocussionist and Andrew Lipke collaborated with Mr. Thurman, joined by a group of student producers–veterans of past Hill-Freedman Records albums. Working in the Music Technology Lab and the school's recording studio, this collective nurtured the creation of the 34 songs that make up this album.

Teddy Bear

Summertime

Stolen Moments

Tres Amor

Talk To Me

Heaven

Be My Girl

Rising Above It All

Stand Up And Shout

Missing You

Hey Lord

Empathy

Growing Up Black

Hill-Freedman Records began the making of its 7th album in the fall of 2022 with a deep dive into Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Oscar-winning documentary SUMMER OF SOUL which explores the healing power of music during times of unrest and tells the story of the The Harlem Cultural Festival during the summer of 1969 in New York City.  Students studied the music of iconic artists like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Sly & the Family Stone in order to appreciate the historical and cultural significance of this epic event in American music.  As part of Hill-Freedman World Academy’s Music Technology course (an integral part of the school’s International Baccalaureate curriculum), and under the leadership of teacher Ezechial Thurman, students used songs like “Young, Gifted and Black” by Nina Simone to find inspiration for their own songwriting and music creating. From this experience, and from the students’ own experiences and stories, the theme of “Heart & Soul” emerged as a theme for the album.  Mr. Thurman and the students were joined by teaching artists and guests from Hill-Freedman’s long-time lead partner, Philadelphia independent, non profit music organization World Cafe Live. WCL teaching artist and lead producer Andrew Lipke collaborated with Mr. Thurman, joined by a group of special guests including singer songwriter Amos Lee, Grammy-winning bassist Ranaan Meyer and songwriter Modesty Lycan. Working in the Music Technology Lab and the school's recording studio, this collective nurtured the creation of the 16 tracks that make up this album.
Album release date:
May 5, 2025

Keep Me Close

Finding a Solution

Summer Of Soul

There's A Light

Boxed In

Right Now Living Life

Hill-Freedman Records began the making of its 7th album with a deep dive into Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Oscar-winning documentary SUMMER OF SOUL which explores the healing power of music during times of unrest and tells the story of the The Harlem Cultural Festival during the summer of 1969 in New York City.  Students studied the music of iconic artists like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Sly & the Family Stone in order to appreciate the historical and cultural significance of this epic event in American music.  As part of Hill-Freedman World Academy’s Music Technology course (an integral part of the school’s International Baccalaureate curriculum), and under the leadership of teacher Ezechial Thurman, students used songs like “Young, Gifted and Black” by Nina Simone to find inspiration for their own songwriting and music creating. From this experience, and from the students’ own experiences and stories, the theme of “Heart & Soul” emerged as a theme for the album.  Mr. Thurman and the students were joined by teaching artists and guests from Hill-Freedman’s long-time lead partner, Philadelphia independent, non profit music organization World Cafe Live. WCL teaching artist and lead producer Andrew Lipke collaborated with Mr. Thurman, joined by a group of special guests including singer songwriter Amos Lee, Grammy-winning bassist Ranaan Meyer and songwriter Modesty Lycan. Working in the Music Technology Lab and the school's recording studio, this collective nurtured the creation of the 16 tracks that make up this album.
Album release date:
May 5, 2025

Stuck in My Head

Burn Rubber

Campfire Stories

Better Woman

Hill-Freedman Records began the making of its 7th album with a deep dive into Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s Oscar-winning documentary SUMMER OF SOUL which explores the healing power of music during times of unrest through telling the story of the Harlem Cultural Festival during the summer of 1969 in New York City.  Students studied the music of iconic artists like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, and Sly & the Family Stone in order to appreciate the historical and cultural significance of this epic event in American music history.  As part of Hill-Freedman World Academy’s Music Technology course (an integral part of the school’s International Baccalaureate curriculum), and under the leadership of teacher Ezechial Thurman, students used songs like “Young, Gifted and Black” by Nina Simone to find inspiration for their own songwriting and music creating. As their immersion in this revolutionary art fused with their own individual stories and experiences, “Heart & Soul” emerged as a theme for the album.  Mr. Thurman, Americorps Digital Service Fellow Anyae Chapple and the students were joined by a diverse team of teaching artists and guests from Hill-Freedman’s long-time lead partner, Philadelphia independent, non profit music organization World Cafe Live; teaching artist and lead producer Andrew Lipke, singer songwriter Amos Lee, Grammy-winning bassist Ranaan Meyer, songwriter Modesty Lycan, rapper and multidisciplinary artist Wordsmith, and Hill-Freedman Records alumni artists Camya Bradley and Christian Harrison. Working in the Music Technology Lab and the school's recording studio, this collective nurtured the creation of the 16 tracks that make up this album.

I Need To Dee-stress

Teach You To Fly (You're A Tower Of Strength)

Lyrics by Jamir Lewis & Hassan Garcia; Music by Trae McClean (keys) & Jason Gleaton, with Kyle Fountain-McMicheaux; Vocals by Troy Pittman, Ahman Jackson & Hassan Garcia; Production & electric guitar by Julian Harris

A New Day

Lyrics & vocals by Ileana Gerena; Music by Ileana Gerena & WGO Session Band--Mario Crew, drums & percussion; Andrew Lipke, bass & guitar, Luke Carlos O'Reilly, keys

Moonlight Eyes

Lyrics by Janell Edwards, Rajah Goldstein, T'Nia Napper & AFM; Music by Rajah Goldstein, T'Nia Napper & WGO Session Band--Mario Crew, drums & percussion; Andrew Lipke, bass & guitar, Luke Carlos O'Reilly, keys; Vocals by Rajah Goldstein & T'Nia Napper

Perfectly Imperfect

Lyrics, music, production & vocals by Zak Allen

Lil' Baby

Lyrics by Hill-Freedman Class 10-3; Music by WUE House Band; Vocals by Renada Allen, Camya Bradley & Jayden Murphy; Special appearance by Frank Machos, saxophone

Gotta Wake Up

Lyrics & Vocals by Ebony Edwards; Music by Wake Up Everybody House Band

Forgive You

Lyrics & Vocals by Zakiyah Stanley; Music & Production by Darius Hunter-Mclean

Mindset

Things That Matter is the 4th studio album written and recorded 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.

Time Stops For No One

Coronacation

11:12

Clouds

Chaos

Show Me

Hill-Freedman Records is an outgrowth of the Hill-Freedman World Academy's International Baccalaureate Programme. "Our music technology program is encouraging students to be creators, producers and self-starters," said music technology teacher Ezechial Thurman. "We are seeing students learn how to take an idea from the design stage to the finished stage using songwriting and computer-based music creating. They have things to say and we want to encourage that."

Hill-Freedman Records

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