The Residency Program Showcase
The Residency seeks to build a powerful community of young hip-hop artists equipped with artistic and leadership skills, business acumen, and mentorship necessary to become professional artists and cultural change makers. Through their participation in The Residency, young artists from low-income families acquire tangible artistic and professional skills while also gaining confidence, teamwork, and a deepened understanding of their own identity and power.
The Residency launched in July 2015 as a collaboration between Museum of Pop Culture, Arts Corps, and Grammy award winning artists Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. It was created as a response to the glaring gap in access to high-quality, experiential arts education for low-income youth and has quickly become the preeminent training ground for the next generation of artists poised to leave a lasting mark on Seattle’s growing music industry.
After the summer intensive, youth (our “alumni”) have access to regular skills building workshops, and opportunities to perform and take part in other educational and industry experiences, including the Resilience College Scholarship Fund which provides financial scholarships for alumni pursuing further education.
Meet the Big Day of Play Performers
Chris Hernandez aka ‘Crissy P’
Crissy P is a Hip-Hop recording artist from South King County. A child of Honduran immigrants, his music revolves around the elements of the environment that raised him. Topics concerning spirituality, mental health, empowering oppressed groups of people - and sometimes just having fun. These messages are spread heavily throughout the music produced. A sample based sound with lyrics that make you stop and think. When you combine that with a modern approach you end up with a very unique sound. Different messages for different people, be sure to experience them all.
Durojayie Heru aka ‘Gyasi’
Gyasi is an 18 year old Seattle artist from WA State and a High School graduate as of June 9th, 2022. He has pursued music since he was 14, from freestyle sessions at parties, to features and later recorded self-produced singles and demo tapes. Gyasi has always had a love for music with early influences like Slick Rick, Sade, and Parliament that boosted his interests even further towards production & trumpet. He often conveys his messages about experiences lived and perceptions observed around him through his music, using his surroundings as a base.
Marta Bakke aka ‘Pretty Loyal’
Pretty Loyal was born in a small village in Ethiopia, where life can get the best of you. Growing up her family didn’t have enough money to fight for their health care, so her parents unfortunately passed away from diseases that could have been cared for with the right resources. Shortly after she was put in the care of an orphanage that exploited her and showed anything but Love. By the grace of God, two people full of Love decided to share it with her and her sister. She was blessed to have a life full of opportunities.
After a long 10 years of learning and getting to know herself, she soon realized that music is her outlet. It’s a way for her to tell her story, and a way to show people that Love and loyalty to your beliefs are extremely important. She writes music to encourage Love, loyalty, understanding and forgiveness. That is who she is, PrettyLoyal.
Ralph Redmond
Seattle based rapper who ignites thought through anecdotal storytelling. Ralph Redmond, 24, has been performing since he was 18 and hopes to share his music worldwide.
Rose' Prosecco
"Positively melanating to the soul", Rosé Prosecco is an endowed Hip-hop /R&B vocalist, producer and lyricist. Captivating listeners through lush poetic flows and smooth sultry vocals.
Rosé is an independent DIY artist creating artwork, writing, recording, producing, and even self directing music videos.