JCPS students use hip hop to address bus problems

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – So far, the new school year is going much more smoothly for JCPS students when it comes to transportation, thanks in part to the district’s decision to limit bus transportation to traditional and magnet schools this year.

However, the decision has led to numerous protests, complaints, a lawsuit and now a music video.

“Where My Bus At,” a song by The Real Young Prodigys and produced by the group HHN2L, is the latest protest against JCPS’s new bus schedule. It was produced and written entirely by JCPS students and highlights the fact that many students have lost access to their desired schools this year.

This year, 43 JCPS schools were affected by the route cuts.

The group behind the new video, HHN2L, which stands for “Hip Hop into Learning,” was formed to provide a platform for African-American youth and young adults to create positive change locally, state, nationally and globally through hip hop, music videos and travel.

It was co-founded by NyRee Clayton-Taylor and her husband Antonio Taylor.

“We believe in the student voice,” Taylor said. “So this song is just a way for the students to express themselves.”

The Taylors say the idea for the video came over the summer, when the new transportation plan was the focus of local headlines.

“Our students have been studying busing for the past year,” Clayton-Taylor said. “And a few months ago they said they wanted to write this song about busing in our own way, and that’s what brings us here today – their song is called ‘Where’s My Bus?'”

JCPS says If more bus drivers are available, the district May be able to resume some bus service to traditional and magnet schools. A new plan to include TARC drivers in school transportation could help.

Until then, the JCPS children of HHN2L will continue to use their voices to demand change.

“Music is their language, it’s how they tell their stories,” Taylor said. “And we’re so proud of our students – that they can express themselves in their own way when it comes to real-life situations that affect them.”

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