The Real Young Prodigys are set to release “CROWN” Remix, the remixed music video on March 31, 2023.
This is the follow-up to their original song and video for “CROWN”, released in 2021, which helped pass the CROWN Act in Louisville, Kentucky, prohibiting race-based hair discrimination.
The CROWN Act, which stands for “Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair,” is a law that prohibits race-based hair discrimination. Some forms of discrimination are denial of employment and educational opportunities on the basis of hair texture or protective hairstyles including braids, locs, twists, or bantu knots.
It is against this backdrop that the all-female music group is using hip-hop culture to educate others on racial injustices and Black history in America.
According to a 2019 research study from national CROWN Act sponsor Dove, Black women are 80% more likely to change their natural hairstyles to meet social norms at work.
Dove also found that 1 in 2 Black children have experienced hair discrimination from as early as age five. The impact of this may last a lifetime.
While these figures might be staggering, the young Queens who make up The Real Young Prodigys have a solution.
The music video aims to further their efforts in protecting young Black schoolgirls from hair discrimination.
The Real Young Prodigys are the brainchild of Hip-Hop Into Learning (HHN2L) – a hip-hop based youth education organization in Louisville, Kentucky.
HHN2L was founded by Kentucky Elementary Teacher of the Year NyRee Clayton-Taylor and community activist Antonio Taylor. Both have been long- time supporters of the CROWN Act.
HHN2L uses The Real Young Prodigys’ creativity to personally and professionally affect social change.
“The Real Young Prodigys create and use hip-hop music to change policy,” says co-founder NyRee Clayton-Taylor. “They have created their very own song that represents what Black hair means to them. This song is a tribute to Black hair and it’s also a way to spark a conversation about The CROWN Act”, she continued.
The group was recently surprised live on The Tamron Hall Show with a $500,000 grant from The Lewis Prize for Music for their musical contributions.
They have also formed a partnership with haircare brand “Flawless”, by Gabrielle Union.
They were also invited to speak and perform at Harvard University and are performing an orchestral version of “CROWN” with The Louisville Orchestra and famed American cellist Yo Yo Ma this spring.
The “CROWN” remix music video will go live on The Real Young Prodigy’s YouTube page at 7pm ET! Be the first to watch it HERE !