Fifteen-year-old Robert is a B-boy. While you may wonder what that means, to Robert, it's music to his ears. Robert is a rapper, a rhymer, or – in layman's terms – a songwriter. His wish request to volunteers from the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of Hudson Valley created some confusion at first. After all, hip hop vernacular is a language not commonly spoken. Robert asked wish granters for a home hip hop recording studio. At first, they weren't clear on exactly what he wanted, so they consulted a manager of a recording studio and the owner of some New York City music stores. Eventually, they understood. Robert wanted the proper equipment to create rap music and provide his own lyrics and vocals.

Actually, this wasn't Robert's first wish. Two years before, he requested a shopping spree. A couple of days before the big event, Robert's wish was canceled by the family for personal reasons. Wish granters didn't forget him though. He's too good of a kid.

Fast forward to two years later. Robert was in a situation where he could resume his shopping spree, but he changed his mind. The budding musician now wanted to record his own hip hop music. Make-A-Wish^® volunteers, with the help of the studio manager and store owner, pieced together a home system for Robert that was fully equipped for his needs, but not too sophisticated for him to master.

When the day of his wish arrived, Robert was so excited that he ran out to meet the wish granters before they could get out of their cars. Once Robert cleared the way, the sound team put together the home studio and Robert started to rap.

Robert's eagerness to learn has him reading more books now with the hopes he'll find inspiration for more songwriting material. This teen lyricist has the sounds, the smarts, and the style to make a big impact in rap music. Don't be surprised if you someday hear Robert's voice booming from your car stereo or clock/radio in the morning. As his fellow rappers would say, he's got mad skills.