Scottsdale‑born rapper, songwriter and children’s author Blake Mankin—who performs under the name Mr B—has turned his love of rhyme into a full‑scale children’s project. After recording his first professional mixtape at Saltmine Studios in Mesa back in 2012, Mankin returned to the same studio in August 2026 to produce an eight‑song album that mirrors his picture book, What Rhymes With Orange?
From mixtape to children’s music
The new album features ten young performers from Arizona and Texas, blending rap, singing and dialogue to tell the story of a little girl named Orange who learns that being different does not mean she doesn’t belong. Seven Arizona children recorded their parts on August 17 and 19 at Saltmine Studios, while three others joined from Austin, Texas.
Book and album concept
In the 2024 picture book, Orange feels excluded because she believes nothing rhymes with her name. She eventually meets friends Florence and Porridge and discovers that she isn’t as different as she thought. The idea grew from Mankin’s own work on a rhyming dictionary in 2023, during which he repeatedly heard people claim that nothing rhymes with “orange.” Determined to prove them wrong, he crafted a story that turns a linguistic myth into a lesson on acceptance.
Kids in the studio
Mankin approached the recording sessions with the same standards he used on his ten previous rap albums, insisting on high‑quality beats, lyrics and production while keeping the material kid‑friendly. The children were not merely singers; they helped write their own verses, drawing on personal interests. One participant, Grace, arrived with a pre‑written rap about reading, which made it onto the track “Roll Call.”
To keep the atmosphere comfortable, Mankin began with group vocals before moving to individual parts, recording each child’s lines without a full instrumental backing. He explained that multiple takes are normal, and most youngsters delivered their lines in just a few attempts. When a parent expressed doubt about a child’s willingness to participate, Mankin spent time playing basketball with the youngster to ease nerves, resulting in a confident performance.
Production team and future plans
Fellow Belmont University graduate Brady Firenze served as a major producer and co‑writer, while Cole Brunson handled recording and mixing at Saltmine Studios. The entire project was mixed and mastered in Arizona. Mankin has submitted the album for consideration in the Best Children’s Music Album category of the 69th Grammy Awards—a milestone that also marks his recent induction into the Recording Academy after more than 15 years of professional work.
Beyond the Grammy submission, Mankin hopes the project will inspire children to explore music and writing without fear of judgment. He has begun performing the songs in local schools and plans to expand the program to additional classrooms, develop more stories, and eventually launch an animated YouTube series based on the album.
Community impact
Parents report that their children continue to sing the album’s songs, create new rhymes at home, and even boast about being on Spotify. For Mankin, the most rewarding outcome is watching kids realize they can create something meaningful on their own.
For more information about the book and album, visit whatrhymeswithorange.com.
Original reporting: Scottsdale Progress — read the source article.
