2026 HIP HOP FINFEST COMPETITION AND EVENT
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Learn about money and create an original song based on what you learn for cash money, prizes and more
Registration closes September 14, 2026
CAN YOU TURN MONEY KNOWLEDGE INTO HIP HOP?
You don’t have to be a professional rapper.
You don’t need a record deal.
You don’t need a professional studio.
You need creativity, something to say, and a willingness to learn.
Hip Hop FinFest challenges students to explore financial LESSONS and transform what they learn into an original creative submission.
Hip Hop FinFest is:
A groundbreaking arts & finance program for schools and organizations, that includes a nationwide youth song competition, where the top 3 finalists get cash, prizes, and more. The winners are showcased at the annual live event in NYC. The initiative puts youth front and center as the voices of tomorrow on one of the most crucial topics in our lives: MONEY
Registration closes September 14, 2026
Live Event
New York City, November 7, 2026
LEARN – CREATE – COMPETE – REPRESENT
LEARN
Build financial knowledge that you can use in real life for years to come.
CREATE
Use Hip-Hop music, songwriting, storytelling, and creativity to communicate what you’ve learned
COMPETE
Put your creativity and financial knowledge up against students from other schools and communities.
REPRESENT
Represent your school, your neighborhood, your family, and your city.
BRING IMPACT TO YOUR STUDENTS
We’re inviting schools and youth-serving organizations to help identify and recruit students.
Middle Schools – High Schools – Youth Organizations – Church Youth Programs – Community Centers – Mentoring Programs
Contest Rules
Please contact us if you have any questions about the contest rules below:
- Must be between 12-19 years old to submit (2026 high school graduates are eligible)
- Must be a resident of the United States, Canada, or Caribbean
- Must submit video performance – NO audio-only submissions will be accepted.
- Song must respond to one of the guiding questions provided, bonus points if the song includes content from one of the lessons
- Must choose a beat provided by the competition or show proof the beat you chose is 100% original and not copywritten.
- Your song must include a minimum of 2 verses and one chorus or hook.
- Individual submissions only – you can put the song and music video together as a group, but it must feature a main artist who will represent the group
- Absolutely no cursing or profanity allowed
STUDENTS NEEDS A TEAM BEHIND THEM
Students bring the talent. THE COMMUNITY can help provide the access.
We’re asking residents, alumni, families, businesses, churches, organizations, and community leaders to help support impact initiatives.
Volunteering – Giving – Mentoring – Recruiting Students – Sharing the Competition – Connecting Us With Schools – Providing Resources – Becoming A Sponsor
100 NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORTERS
Community Powered – Student Focused
We’re looking for the first 100 Neighborhood Supporters willing to invest $100 into the next generation. Our ’26-27 CAFE Impact Portfolio will surely demonstrate that your dollars are supporting great impact initiatives throughout the community.
The real IMPACT is bigger than the money. It’s 100 people saying our students and community are worth investing in.