‘Cliché Christmas’ is the festive EP you didn’t know you needed—straight from the wildly creative minds of Nashville’s youth. Imagine your favorite holiday tropes served with a wink and a dash of sass. From reimagined jingle bells to melodramatic mistletoe ballads, this project takes the warm fuzzies of the season, wraps them in tinsel, and gives them a modern twist. It’s cozy, it’s clever, and just cliché enough to feel like Christmas without the stale fruitcake. This is holiday cheer—Nashville style. 🎄✨

Credits:
1. Cliche Christmas written by Kiersi Joli Prod. by YoDisCam
2. Christmas Headlights written by Sophia Prod. by Tae
3. Christmas time written by Angel Prod. by Kaylah
4. Wishlist Interlude written by LaPromise Prod. by Von
5. Santa Claus Drill written by Jazaria Prod. by Stephen
6. Where is the Grinch written by LaPromise  Prod. by Tae

Cliche Christmas - Kiersi Joli

Recorded at N4N High Point.

Performed by XOTIC.
Produced by DYFRNT and XOTIC.

Mastered by Caleb Alexander & Grant Livesay at The 68 Sound Studios (A Room).

Gemini (North Carolina)

Recorded at N4N St. Paul and Detroit.

Written by ACE, Tyriq, and Antonio.
Produced by John Karsten and Duncan MacKillop.

This song is the first collaboration between the St. Paul and Detroit studios. John sent over the beat with Ace's vocals already recorded, and Tyriq and Antonio were able to come up with and record a verse within one session! We're all super excited with how it turned out and are looking forward to many more collaborations in the future.

She Wanna Run - ACE Ft. Lahagg and T-Rob

Recorded at N4N Milwaukee HFCA HS.

Written by Mr. Derrick, PArriona, Emarion, Nate, Harmonee, Kyra, Jaccari, Jayden.
Produced by Block 3 , Mr. D.

Block 3 made the class beat, and Mr. Derrick asked the class what they hear. Harmonee contributed to the discussion, "Where They At".  Mr Derrick told the class that there's money out there to get , knowlegde out there to gain, and people to meet. Of course, high schoolers will write about boys/girls and ask where they are. Emarion wrote abut a party, and NAte wrote about being in the studio working. They did not disappoint, and Mr Derrick added some scratches with quotes from Nas andJay Electronica!
NOTE: song created during Fall semester 2024

Where They At? - Harmonee, Kyra, Emarion, PArriona, Nate, Jaccari, Jayden

Recorded at Milwaukee HFCA HS.

Written by Jerry, Jastacia, Jamarion, KeKe, Mr Derrick.
Produced by Mr. Derrick.

Mr. Derrick told the class they should be able to make a Milwaukee beat in FL Studio in 3min or less since they are producers from Milwaukee.  They didnt beleive him, so he did it himself, replacing the traditional Milwaukee Low End 808s with a growling bass track. The class loved it and some of our best writers decided to write about their Summer!
Mr. Derrick has been training Amir as an engineering apprentice. Amir said Mr. Derrick's original version had too much bass, so they made 2 copies and Mr. Derrick did a car test shootout. Amir's version won, because Amir was right! So we are listening to Mr. Derrick's mix with Amir's bass submix included! Well Done, Amir!

Summer Comin' Up! - Jerry, Jastacia, Jarmarion, KeKe

Recorded at N4N Austin.

Produced by Iram Reyes

The Duffie Rec Center youth made a banger by combining elements of cumbia and hip hop. Enjoy this danceable tune and play it for your family and friends at your next Cinco de Mayo event!

Baila Mi Cumbia - Rosewood Dreamers (ft. 512-Lou)

Recorded at N4N Milwaukee HFCA HS.

Written by Bink, Bari, 4700, Jaccari.
Produced by Bari, Bink, Chris, Mr Derrick.

Classes are covering chords this semester so as the class built a beat, Mr Derrick was deciding which chords he'd add. The class all agreed to write about being out and about, kickin' it, hanging out, aka being Outside! Also, Class assistant engineer Amir  assisted in the arrangement of the song!

We Outside! - Bink, Bari, 4700, Jaccari

Recorded at Milwaukee HFCA HS.

Written by Mr. Derrick.
Produced by Jayden, Xaire, Zaria, Mr Derrick.

Block 5 made the class beat together as a group and all agreed that we should write about manifesting our success. Harmonee and Zaria were supposed to be on the song with Xaire, but they both changed their minds. This leaves Xaire with a solo song as her first recording in the N4N studio at HFCA! Mr Derrick chose not to give her any advice about rapping the verse or how to flow it. Xaire did a great job and her energy and personality shine throughout the performance. We love this one! 

"Yeah right yeah right, we need big $$ in our lives!"

Manifesting Success - Xaire

Recorded at N4N Brooklyn.

Written by Aniya & Milleah
Produced by Tim T

The story behind the song is about Aniya and Milleah becoming  friends over the summer and the last week program we got to record this song called Flying So High. 

Flying so High - Aniya & Milleah

Recorded at N4N Bronx Grimm.

Performed by Grimm Clubhouse Youth
Produced by Samario Hardy

The Doll in the Attic (Bronx Grimm)

Notes For Notes San Francisco Program Director Crystal, sits down with AR The Believer to chat about his music and how his culture, family, and values influence what he creates. He also gets us amped for his upcoming release, "Blind Spot".

This is a shortened version of the interview. Check out the full interview https://soundcloud.com/notesfornotes/ar-the-believer-full-interview/s-Zd6zC
in which A.R. digs deeper into his music and his thoughts on Muslims in America.

02.21.17 A.R. The Believer Interview

Notes For Notes