Fronted by songwriter, Tito Uquillas, The Hipwaders issued their first children's music album, "The Smile Project" in 2004. The album received a Parent's Choice Award that year. "The Smile Project" was quickly followed up in 2005 by "The Hipwaders", the band's official debut. The band was nominated by XM Satellite Radio as one of the best new kid's' music acts of 2005 and the album earned another Parent's Choice Award for the band in 2006. In 2007, The Hipwaders were invited to perform at the Lollapalooza Festival in Chicago.