Brett “Mr. Eco” Edwards believes that monumental changes begin with the youngest members of society. He has combined his passions for sustainability, wildlife conservation and hip-hop to create an environmental rap superhero that uses music to empower children to become activists called #EcoHeroes. Mr. Eco uses his blend of "edutainment" to teach our youth that their local actions impact ecosystems and wildlife globally. $1 of proceeds from every album sold is donated to Salad Bar Nation – a fundraising campaign from Whole Kids Foundation to put salad bars in schools. America – it's time to eat a salad every day! Mr. Eco created a theme song for “Salad Bar Nation” that is the first single off of the album. The album features songs about personal behavioral change and highlights programs Mr. Eco believes will help youth become #EcoHeroes. The idea of wildlife conservation is strung throughout the entire album and as Mr. Eco says in “Wildlife Warriors” … “live sustainably at home and you’ll save animals where they roam!” Mr. Eco has performed elementary school assemblies for 20,000+ children and is going on a California statewide elementary school tour this year with a goal of 100 schools and 50,000+ students. From September-November Mr. Eco will be visiting Whole Foods Stores promoting “Hybrid Hip-Hop” and Salad Bar Nation. “I make content that is kid friendly, not content for kids. Hybrid Hip-Hop is closer to Jay Z than Barney. I’m a change agent that uses hip-hop as a medium that reaches youth in a way they can relate to. I am pumped about the future of music for Mr. Eco because the parents of the children I target are the first generation that grew up listening to hip-hop. Parents and children alike will think my music is cool.” - Brett “Mr. Eco” Edwards "Mr. Eco shares the Whole Kids Foundation belief in the power of kids to create change! His approach combines serious earth-changing messages with fun, energetic, hip performance that really gets kids up out of their seats. And even better, through his songs the messages really stick with them!" - Nona Evans, Executive Director Whole Kids Foundation “I have been so impressed with Mr. Eco’s continued creativity and dedication. His videos always bring a smile to my face, and I am thrilled to see messages of sustainability reach new audiences in this hip-hop format. He has great appeal to students and adults alike, and I love it when one of his songs is stuck in my head!” - Hannah Debelius, Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council Mr. Eco’s breakdown song by song of Hybrid Hip-Hop: 1. #EcoHero Anthem: This song features singer Jenny Tormey and is a personal look at my journey as Mr. Eco. The chorus and song portray empowering messaging that ANYONE can be a superhero aka an #EcoHero. The pre-chorus gives instructions on how to make the #EcoHero symbol with your hands. 2. Wildlife Warriors: This song explains precisely the messaging of Mr. Eco. We are “Wildlife Warriors” fighting for the animals of earth by living sustainably. It gives a shout out to Steve Irwin, a personal hero of mine and has a part in the bridge with a “crocodile clap” dance move that is also directed in tribute for the “Crocodile Hunter.” I talk about the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) animal adoption program in the bridge. If I wasn’t Mr. Eco I just might be working for the WWF, they are one of my favorite organizations. 3. Salad Bar Nation: This song is a theme song for the Whole Kids Foundation that promotes salad bars at schools and eating healthy. America, it is time to eat a salad every day! The bridge and chorus are full of salad bar puns and there is a special reference to Aersomith’s “Living on the Edge.” 4. Bottles Are For Babies: This song promotes the use of reusable water bottles by saying that plastic single use water bottles are for babies. For a kid, being called a baby is a very insulting notion, so my hopes are that everyone as school will be rocking Brita reusable water bottles. The chorus and beat sound like a nursery song infused with hip-hop. It is probably the catchiest song on the album. 5. Be Bright (Turn Em Out): This song is a high-energy song that makes you want to save energy by turning out lights. The lyrics promote turning out lights and not wasting energy. There is an easy dance motion that goes along with the chorus prompting you to use your elbows as if they are light switches. “Be Bright” mentions a super villain of mine called the “Energy Hog” and also gives a shout out to Earth Hour a global campaign put on by WWF. I mention Earth Hour in the bridge and they should use it to promote their event to children. 6. Litterbug: This song is prompting kids to not litter and to pick up litter when they see it. It is a fun beat that makes you want to dance. It is essentially 4 choruses that repeat 2 ½ times. I reference the “crying Indian” from the famous Keep America Beautiful commercial and also Finding Nemo by saying “all drains lead to the ocean that’s what Finding Nemo told em.” 7. Recycle Robot: This song promotes recycling. The breakdown of “Recycle Robot” is two fold. 1. You do a robot dance move as you recycle 2. I am programming youth to be Recycle Robots. 8. Hybrid Hommies: This song is a hip-hop greensta anthem. It is unlike any of the other songs on the album. It gives Mr. Eco some edge. The idea is that I have a crew of “Hybrid Hommies” that go around doing green things that are super public service positive but we do them in a gangsta type of fashion. I give shout outs to Clif Bar, Guyaki Yerba Mate and Brita, which are all companies I love. 9. YikeBike: This song is about the YikeBike, my electric folding bike “eco-mobile.” The bike is from New Zealand and is a super cool symbol for sustainable innovation and social entrepreneurship. The first verse depicts what it is like riding the YikeBike during the day and the second verse depicts riding the bike at night and tells a true narrative of me being pulled over by police. 10. Project Green Challenge (PGC): This is a theme song for one of my favorite non-profits, Teens Turning Green and their annual Project Green challenge. The challenge aims for youth to turn their thinking as consumers from conventional to eco-conscious. 11. Green Apple Day of Service: This song is a theme song for the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) “Green Apple Day of Service” that is a part of their “Green Schools” initiative. The track features Jenny Tormey on the chorus. The Green Apple Day of Service aims to get kids working on a sustainable project at their school no matter how simple. They launched last year and had unbelievable success reaching every continent of the globe with projects.