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CUSD Students at Billboard's Hip-Hop Power Players Red Carpet

Media Release

Thanks to the Save The Music Foundation and Billboard, two Compton Unified students had the opportunity to attend Billboard’s 50 Years of Hip-Hop Power Players reception and interview artists on the Red Carpet.

Centennial High School 2023 grad Michael Garcia Herrera and Dominguez High School senior Zarrya Oliver got the opportunity to be on the Red Carpet before Billboard’s big event and interview artists as they arrived. The interviews were filmed by Billboard and posted to the media outlet’s website and YouTube page.

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Michael Garcia Herrera interviews Tinashe

Michael Garcia Herrera, who graduated from Centennial’s audio production program in the spring, interviewed multi-platinum-certified R&B disruptor singer and actor Tinashe about her music, blending genres, her love for Missy Elliott, and more.

 

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For kids who want to get into the business, Tinashe told Michael it was important to have a really strong sense of self. “A lot of people are going to have opinions and tell you you should do this and you should do that. But if you’re authentic to who you are and what you want to do, that’s when you really break through.”

She also said: “Don’t take no for an answer. All it takes is hard work and perseverance, and a little luck.” 

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Zarrya Oliver interviewed Tone Stith

Dominguez High School senior Zarrya Oliver interviewed singer/song writer/producer Tone Stith on his inspiration behind his track “Girls Like You,” his favorite Hip-Hop track, and more. About the song, he told Zarrya, “It’s a real story. This girl broke my heart and really messed me up.”

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Tone Stith also told Zarrya his advice to someone wanting to get into the music business: “Don’t stop. Just keep going and don’t let anyone take that dream away from you. As long as you keep going, you’re going to get there. There’s a finish line.”

 

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Compton's Audio Production CTE program granted students the opportunity to gain work-based learning working the Red Carpet at Billboard’s Power Players event.

The Audio Production CTE program is designed to equip students to embark on a career in music technology, arts, media, and entertainment.