Announcements

Beats Meet Bank Skills: Hip Hop FinFest 2025 Contest

August 19, 2025

Hip Hop FinFest 2025: Where Beats Meet Bank Skills

Not so fun fact: fewer than 1 in 4 high school students take a financial literacy class before graduation. And for students in predominantly Black or Brown high schools, that number drops to 1 in 20.

That gap matters. As Pockets Change co-founder Andrea Ferrero-Haggerty told Cheddar News:

“I want more of our students to be able to unpack those money myths that permeate our communities.”

That’s why Soundtrap for Education is teaming up with Pockets Change this year to bring you Hip Hop FinFest 2025 – where students use the artform they love to speak on one of life’s most important topics: money.

What is Hip Hop FinFest?

Hip Hop FinFest is more than a contest – it’s a nationwide movement giving middle and high school students the platform to create original songs about money and perform them for a live audience.

Here’s what’s in store:

  • 🎵 A youth song competition where the top 3 finalists get cash prizes (1st – $1,000, 2nd – $500, and 3rd – $250) and a Pocket Studio full of SONY equipment valued at over $1300
  • 🎤 A community concert where the top 2 finalists get an all expenses paid trip to NYC and perform their song to an enthusiastic crowd
  • 📝 A chance to have Hip Hop legends and business professionals give you feedback on your music and songwriting skills
  • 🎨 A groundbreaking arts & finance program for schools and organizations
  • 👥 An opportunity for educators to connect with their students on a more creative level
  • 💸 A program that puts youth front and center as the voices of tomorrow on one of the most crucial topics in our lives: MONEY

Why It Resonates with Students

Past FinFest winner Cleo de Jay shared, she wasn’t curious about finance at first. But then she explored the racial wealth gap in her songwriting:

“The one I chose that interested me the most was the racial gap when it came to generational wealth, and how certain laws and things government has put in place have affected minorities and people of color.”

She didn’t just learn facts – she performed them, using rhythm and rhyme to break down a complex economic story into something her peers could feel and remember.

As Dyalekt, Director of Pedagogy at Pockets Change puts it:

“Hip hop is about your need meeting opportunity meeting community.”

That’s exactly what happens here – students find their voice, connect with their community, and get the tools to shape their financial futures.

The Classroom Connection

You’re not just helping students make music – you’re aligning with literacy, social studies, and CTE standards while building essential skills:

  • College & Resume Boost – A portfolio-ready project.
  • Financial Capability – Lessons that last beyond graduation.
  • Confidence & Communication – Performing in front of a crowd or submitting work to industry pros.
  • Mentorship Access – Networking in finance, business, and the arts.

And thanks to Soundtrap, the creation process fits into your schedule: browser-based recording, collaborative editing, and ready-to-use lesson plans. No heavy lift – just powerful results.

How to Get Started

  1. Register your class for Hip Hop FinFest lessons.
  2. Get 3 months of Soundtrap free with promo code sent out after you register.
  3. Have students submit their songs by September 30, 2025.

See the Impact

Past winners have turned complex ideas into unforgettable tracks:

This Year, It Could Be Your Students on Stage

Before your students write another five-paragraph essay, give them a microphone and a beat – and see how they bring their learning to life.

You bring the students. We’ll bring the beats, the lesson plans, and the stage.