| 1. | “Be”
— Common |
| 2. | “Hip Hop Is Dead”
— Nas |
| 3. | “Game Theory”
— The Roots |
| 4. | “The Minstrel Show”
— Little Brother |
| 5. | “This Week”
— Jean Grae |
| 6. | “Right About Now”
— Talib Kweli |
| 7. | “True Magic”
— Mos Def |
| 8. | “Blue Collar”
— Rhymefest |
| 9. | “Food and Liquor”
— Lupe Fiasco |
| 10. | “Version 7.0: The Street Scriptures”
— Guru |
» Now click here to show us yours. |
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The ESSENCE Take Back the Music campaign and the Berklee College of Music are back again with our annual search for hip-hop's next great voice. Lyricists and songwriters, ages 15 to 19, will compete to win tuition-free summer classes at Berklee's Boston campus, where students learn fundamentals of performance, composition, production and the music business. Additionally, the top scholarship recipients will perform their winning songs at the 2008 Peace Hip-Hop Festival at Boston's City Hall Plaza (subject to approval of Festival organizers). Songs will be judged on clever, thought-provoking lyrics, composition and performance.
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Justin McGibbon a.k.a. Jae Guttah
Song: "Keep Goin" 
"I excel in lyrically describing life's unavoidable issues," says this 18-year-old living in Pennsylvania. "Sometimes simple, sometimes complex, but always real." He's been a serious music fan since as far back as he can remember.
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Jennifer Chianesi a.k.a. Nesi
Song: "Shake Up"
An 18-year-old singer and rapper from Rhode Island, Jennifer has already written over a hundred original songs with catchy and motivational lyrics. Moved by artists like TLC and Mary J. Blige, she is "ready to change the world with lyrical miracles."
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Nyles Houston a.k.a. Witness
Song: "The Gamble"
The son of two pastors, Nyles, 17, specializes in gospel rap. Born and raised in Massachusetts, he has performed at churches and events all over the country. "I want to convey a message of hope," he says. "Not just talk about myself or material pursuits." |
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Bryan Hill a.k.a. Fidelity
Song: "Verbal Medicine"
Originally from Maryland, this 18-year-old currently resides in Maine. With an introspective and thought-provoking lyrical style based on his experiences, he sees his music as a "beacon illuminating his path" as he travels through life. |
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Nicholas Garcia a.k.a. Phantom
Song: "Feel It"
This 18-year-old from New Jersey began writing poetry when he was 13, a passion which led to him becoming a lyricist. A storyteller who takes on the perspective and voice of different characters in his rhymes, he is eager for the world to hear his music. |
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Marc Julian Glenn a.k.a. Julian 'da Don
Song: "Million Dollar Opportunity"
"Street poetry" are the words this Michigan 17-year-old uses to describe his music. "I'm capturing real-life experiences, with all the joy and sorrow that all of us feel," he says. He aims to create songs that are appealing to both kids and adults, without using explicit language. |
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Kirby DeJesus Espinal a.k.a. Rio
Song: "Take It Back"
A Massachusetts musician who has studied the piano, violin and trumpet, Kirby, 17, has been writing his own compositions since he was in fourth grade. "I love creating music that can express emotions or thoughts that I am having," he says. "Music is my life." |
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J.B. Brooks
Song: "Making Change"
A guitarist who plays various styles of music, this 19-year-old from South Carolina also loves making hip-hop beats. With his eye on the music business, he aspires to be not only an artist, but also a record producer and label owner. |
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Cean Brundage-McNeil a.k.a. Cnairio
Song: "L.I.F.E."
Artists including Common, Nas and Jay-Z inspire this 15-year-old from Georgia, who started writing rhymes at age 12 and hopes to encourage other teens in hip-hop to keep it positive. "Rappers come a dime a dozen," he says, "But true lyricists are hard to find." |
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Chaney Ellis
Song: "It Don't Come Easy"
Rapping since age 8, this 15-year-old Texan makes music with positive messages. "In this day and time, girls like me need positive images to look up to and identify with," she says. This song was inspired by a trip she took with her church feeding the homeless. |
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| "Making Change" - J.B. Brooks | 0.3% |
| "Shake Up" - Jennifer Chianesi a.k.a. Nesi | 10.4% |
| "It Don't Come Easy" - Chaney Ellis | 6.3% |
| "Take It Back" - Kirby DeJesus Espinal a.k.a. Rio | 4.7% |
| "Feel It" - Nicholas Garcia a.k.a. Phantom | 15.6% |
| "Million Dollar Opportunity" - Marc Julian Glenn a.k.a. Julian 'da Don | 22.1% |
| "Verbal Medicine" - Bryan Hill a.k.a. Fidelity | 04.8% |
| "The Gamble" - Nyles Houston a.k.a. Witness | 0.2% |
| "Keep Goin" - Justin McGibbon a.k.a. Jae Guttah | 18.9% |
| "L.I.F.E." - Cean Brundage-McNeil a.k.a. Cnairio | 16.4% |
| *Number of respondents: 7,888 |
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Grand Prize: Two winners will each be admitted into the 2008 Berklee College of Music Five-Week Summer Performance Program and receive a full scholarship, including tuition and housing (value $6,930.00).
Second Place: One winner will receive a tuition-only scholarship (value $4,130).
Runners-Up: Two runners-up will each receive one online music course at Berkleemusic.com (value between $695 and $1,195).
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