Urban Nation
H.I.P.-H.O.P Choir

Hope. Integrity. Power - Helping. Our. People
Urban Nation Choir for the Performing Arts mission is to positively impact the lives of children, youth, and adults by giving them the opportunity to develop socially, emotionally, intellectually, and artistically through dance, music education, and through the study of the business of music.
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Dr. Rickey Payton, Sr. Biography:


Dr. Rickey Payton, Sr. a Washingtonian, is a renowned composer, arranger, music producer, performer, and teacher. He serves as a Voting Member of the GRAMMYs and served as Artist-in-Residence at Imagination Stage in Bethesda, Maryland (2022-2023). Dr. Payton studied Music, Business, and Entertainment Law at Howard University.

With over 13 years of experience, Dr. Payton taught choral music at Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C., and has received Honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters from Breakthrough Bible College (2005) and Miracle Gospel Fellowship Ministries, Inc. (2022) He is also featured in The History Makers Archive.

In 1997, Dr. Payton co-founded the Urban Nation H.I.P. – H.O.P. Choir with Dr. Sheila Johnson Newman, (Formerly Co-Founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), a nationally renowned program serving at-risk youth and those with special needs in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Also, he Co-Founder, and served as Composer, and Musical Director of City at Peace, which uses the performing arts to promote tolerance and cross-cultural understanding. This organization was featured on "Nightline" with Ted Koppel and then later on HBO, as a 90-minute feature with Executive Producers Barbra Streisand & Cis Corman of Barwood Films.

Dr. Payton's notable works include "Let's Build A Bridge All Across America," featured at President Bill Clinton's Second Inaugural Ceremony (1996), and "Yes We Can," composed for President Barack Obama's first inauguration (2008). He has performed for numerous dignitaries, including former President Mitterrand of France, Queen Elizabeth of England, and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Throughout his career, Dr. Payton has worked with superstars such as Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Melba Moore, Celine Dion, Wayne Newton, Whitney Houston, Patti LaBelle, John Legend and many others. He has also served as Music Director for the Greater Washington Urban League Gala and Music Producer for the DC-Capital Stars Scholarship Awards at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He is married to Vernita Ann Payton, and they have three beautiful children: Rickey, Jr., Darnell, and Dasia.

Support Team

Reva r thompson
Vice President
Project Manager
Reva Thompson
1000009689
Vice President of Operations & Communications 
Lucile Francois
Un robert
Vice President Director
Robert E. Young
Un kenan
Vice President
Music Director
Kenan Henna

Welcome
Urban Nation H.I.P-H.O.P. Choir

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Urban Nation, Inc.'s is a 501-(C) (3) organization that supports at-risk youth and our mission is to provide opportunities for young people to share their gifts and talents through the performing arts, academics, and life skills. Specifically, their programs aim to support at-risk youth and special needs individuals with disabilities in the Washington, DC metropolitan region.

Focusing on the acronym H.I.P.-H.O.P. (Hope, Integrity, Power – Helping Our People), the choir’s mission is to channel the creative and artistic energies of a targeted group of youth into a dynamic, structured group that will foster excellence in all facets of their lives.

Students who range in ages 13 to 18 participate in the Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir. They gain a better understanding and awareness of their heritage by performing a variety of musical styles, particularly spirituals, gospel, jazz, contemporary, inspirational, folk, musical theater and classical music.

In addition to performing, Urban Nation emphasizes education, academic excellence, community service, intercultural appreciation, discipline and HIV/AIDS awareness. Each participant is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 and attend all educational and motivational workshops as well as seminars that will develop their talents, skills, self-esteem, confidence and personal character.
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Begin Your Musical Journey
Urban Nation's work encompasses

Performing Arts: 
  • Providing a platform for youth to express themselves through music, dance, and choir, such as The Urban Nation H.I.P.-H.O.P. Choir, which acronym stands for Hope, Integrity Power, Helping Our People.

Education:
  • Offering educational workshops, college prep, and life skills training to empower youth.

Health Awareness:
  • Promoting health awareness and violence prevention initiatives.

Personal Development:
  • Building self-esteem, self-awareness, and confidence through aspirational and inspirational narratives.
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What are you waiting for?
BOOK TODAY With Urban Nation Choir!

 Send us a message using the form below for booking.