For the longest time, Schoolhouse Rock was used to teach children in America the basics of civil rights and citizenship. While the animated musical educational short films are still dear to many hearts, there's no denying the lessons -- or at least how they are expressed -- are a bit antiquated.
Enter We The People, a series of ten animated music videos that remix civics for a new generation and reframes the relationship between the government and its citizens in a modern world. Fittingly set to premiere on July 4, the musical series is executive produced by Chris Nee, Kenya Barris, Barack and Michelle Obama, Tonia Davis and Priya Swaminathan.
Each episode is a song performed by a top artist that covers a specific U.S. civics topic, from citizenship to taxes to freedom of speech. Season 1 of We The People features music by H.E.R., Bebe Rexha, Brandi Carlile, Janelle Monáe, Cordae, Adam Lambert, Andra Day, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brittany Howard, Daveed Diggs, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Kyle and Amanda Gorman.
The animation is as diverse as the artists themselves. Episodes are directed by Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse), Trisha Gum (The LEGO Movie 2), Victoria Vincent (Bunny Rabbit), Benjy Brooke (Teen Titans GO! to the Movies), Mabel Ye (Kid Cosmic), Tim Rauch (BoJack Horseman), Jorge R. Gutierrez (Maya and the Three), Daron Nefcy (Star vs. The Forces of Evil), Everett Downing (Hair Love) and Kendra Ryan (Assoc. Creative Director, BUCK).
We The People looks like the perfect civics remix for an America that is evolving. Today's generation of children and teens are more aware of what's going on around them. They are playing a more active role in politics. The world in which we live in today is not the same as it was 20-30 years ago, and this remix is desperately needed.