"When Cameron Keys was a teen living in Chicago, he was the victim of a random drive-by shooting. Despite being hit by 16 bullets, he survived. But he needed a change, and found his way to Minneapolis/St. Paul. Homeless for two months, in and out of shelters, he was introduced by a shelter coordinator to Charlnitta Ellis.

"Charlnitta Ellis — also known as 'Mama Chi' and the sister of David T.C. Ellis, who founded High School for Recording Arts — encouraged Keys to come to the school.

"HSRA, nicknamed 'Hip Hop High,' is a public school in St. Paul, Minnesota. T.C. Ellis, who had a long, storied music career growing up and recording with Prince, sought to connect with at-risk students through music — something that is deeply rooted in the culture of the Twin Cities. HSRA teaches core subjects through a musical lens, helping students develop skills and agency to tackle real-world issues.

"Keys credits HSRA with saving his life, and for putting him on a pathway to be where he is in life now — living in Tennessee with his wife, and working a stable job as a Walmart manager." - Jim Fields & Emmeline Zhao‍

ARTICLE: Hip Hop is Saving Teen Lives in Minnesota

WEBSITE: High School for Recording Arts

VIDEO: Essential Learning at Hip Hop High (Story of HSRA)