Hip-hop raised us. Now we’re raising the next generation.

Ten years ago, a small group of teaching artists and young dreamers in Seattle came together for a two-week hip-hop intensive.

There were no guarantees, no blueprint—just the question: What did we need when we were coming up?

From that spark, The Residency was born.

Today, that spark has grown into a movement reaching hundreds of young artists each year—transforming classrooms into studios and mentorship into legacy.

That impact took center stage on the Beats Working podcast, where Executive Director Olisa Enrico joined alumni Maia Gaiia and Sonatta to reflect on a decade of culture, growth, and community power.

“The youth are the truth.” — Olisa Enrico

Olisa’s story mirrors The Residency’s own. She started as a guest teaching artist leading a stage-presence workshop during the first summer, later joined full-time, and now leads the organization as Executive Director.

“I read the job description and felt like I was being called back,” Olisa said. “So I put my hat in the ring—and here I am. Full circle.”

Under her leadership, The Residency evolved from a summer intensive to a year-round ecosystem that serves 300–400 youth annually—rooted in mentorship, creativity, and community.

“It takes a village to raise a child, and it takes a community to build The Residency,” she said. “Every event, every production, every performance—it’s a community effort. No one does this alone.”

Finding the Spark: Maia Gaiia’s Story

For Maia Gaiia, her introduction to The Residency came through a friend’s showcase in 2022. She didn’t think of herself as a musician—she just came to support her younger brother at an audition. But one moment changed everything.

“He told them, ‘Yeah, my sister does music too—she’s fire.’ So I auditioned too,” Maia said. “I didn’t even have an identity yet. I was just having fun. Then I realized—wait, I’m actually good at this.”

Three years later, Maia is a member of The Residency’s Youth Leadership Council, helping plan shows and guiding other young artists through the same door she once walked through.

“The Residency has shown me there are so many ways to go about your artistry,” she said. “They’ve put so many important people in my life. I need to be intentional and build those relationships.”

“Rip your cool card and throw it away.” — Sonatta

Sonatta’s journey began as an audience member at a showcase in 2023. The energy pulled him in. Soon after, he started recording music—and before even joining the intensive, he performed trumpet with The Residency’s house band at Benaroya Hall.

“Stepping out onto that stage was surreal,” he said. “I thought I was going to throw up. But when I saw all those people there to support me and everyone else—it was unlike anything I can describe. You just take a deep breath and go for it.”

Through The Residency, Sonatta learned that music is more than performance—it’s discipline, business, and community.

“I was the most unsocial person for a long time,” he admitted. “The Residency taught me how to make friends, how to talk to people, how to build community. They teach you to rip your cool card and throw it away so you can actually connect.”

Ten Years Strong: From Summer Intensive to Movement

Becoming its own nonprofit in 2020, The Residency Seattle now stands as a cornerstone for hip-hop education and youth mentorship. With a full-time team of five and partnerships across the city, the organization continues to expand its year-round programs and creative opportunities.

“We’re excited to look back to move forward,” said Olisa. “There’s this principle called Sankofa—you look back to know how to move forward. To be here now, at this time in hip-hop history, is beautiful. Who controls the narrative controls the world, and our young folks have narratives to share.”

Come As You Are. That’s Enough.

At The Residency, the message is simple but powerful: your story matters, your voice matters, and your growth matters.

Whether you’re an artist, a family member, a funder, or a fan of hip-hop—your support fuels this movement.

“We are just the stewards,” Olisa said. “They—the youth—are the mission.”

How to Get Involved

Attend an Event: View upcoming shows and showcases.
Support the Mission: Donate today.
Volunteer: Join our volunteer squad.
Follow the Movement: @theresidencyseattle

Because hip-hop raised us—and through The Residency, it’s raising the next generation.

A Decade of Rhythm, Resilience, and Real Ones: The Residency Turns 10