Hip-Hop FinFest is a groundbreaking arts & finance program culminating with a nationwide song competition. Middle and high school students build personal finance & songwriting skills through online lessons and receive feedback from our judges - Hip-Hop legends such as Sway Calloway, Bahamadia, and Akil the MC from Jurassic 5. Students have the opportunity to win prizes, perform, and have their voices heard about one of the most crucial topics in our lives: money.

Hip-Hop FinFest had been featured in Cheddar News, Harvard Hip Hop Ex Labs, UCLA Scholars & Storytellers, Sony Create Action and many more!

submissions open! start here!

Why Should You & Your Students Participate in Hip-Hop FinFest?

🎤 Amplify money + mental well-being conversations

📚 Empower your students to take control of their finances while having fun

🎶 Celebrate financial knowledge and creative career skills with student lyrics

and then there’s prizes…

🏅Winning middle and high school students receive:

The Grand Prize Winner will receive a trip to NYC to perform live

Winning songs will receive a Pocket Studio with Sony equipment including: ZV-1 Camera, Wireless Bluetooth® Shooting Grip and Tripod,WH-CH510 Wireless Headphones with Microphone,Rechargeable Battery Pack, Tough M 64GB Memory Card, Portable Bluetooth® Wireless Speaker, Shotgun Microphone

Top three submissions will receive cash prizes ($1000, $500, $250)

Monthly mentorship sessions with hip hip legends and business change makers.

Winning songs will be featured during the Hip-Hop FinFest Money Jam

PLUS…As the winning student’s teacher you’ll get a 1:1 Coaching Session to increase their own comfort around personal finances & access to the award winning Beyond Budgeting curriculum.

submissions open! start here!

- Must be between 12-18 years old to submit.
- Must be a resident of the United States, Canada, or Caribbean
- Must use content from at least one of the financial education lessons provided.
- Must choose a beat provided by the competition.
- Your song must include a minimum of 2 versus.
- Must submit video performance - NO audio-only submissions will be accepted.
- Absolutely no cursing or profanity allowed.
🎤 Complete all 5 Hip Hop FinFe$t online challenges to get ideas for your song
🎤 Record your first cut to leave time for edits & reshoots
🎤 Submit your song by the Early Deadline of May 30th for one-on-one feedback from one of our judges and the opportunity to re-submit
🎤 Final submission Deadline August 25
🎤 Introduce your class to Hip Hop FinFe$t challenges *PRO TIP - April is Financial literacy month, a great time to introduce your class to the fest!
🎤 Each FinFest lesson can be completed in 15-40 minutes to spark money conversations and build financial skills for your whole class
🎤 For students who are interested in submitting a song, find ways to support them. Do you have access to a recording studio? Are you able to help them record the music video? Can you help them edit their verses?
🎤 Encourage students to submit by the early submission deadline of May 30 to get feedback from one of the judges and get the opportunity to resubmit.
🎤 Remind interested students of the final submission date of August 25th before school is out!

Past Winners

3rd Annual Hip-Hop FinFest Winning Video By K0RE

2nd Annual Hip-Hop FinFest Winning Video By Breadwinna’ CJ

1st Annual Hip-Hop FinFest Winning Video By JC Meraki

2024’s theme was Mic Check, Mind Check, Money Check - How we feel about money influences what we think about money, which influences what we do with our money. The connection between our mental health and emotions are vital. If we can understand our feelings, we can make better decisions about living well today while saving for the future.