Chicago Artists And Activists Unite To Promote Community Healing

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The Electro Reggae Jam community in collaboration with the Free Write Jail Arts and Literacy Program, is pleased to announce the first in a series of events designed to bring together and mobilize local musicians, artists and activists. On Friday October 24th Electro Reggae Recordings will host a night of live Reggae, Dancehall, Global Bass and EDM (electronic dance music) at the Double Door. Together we will take a stand against the unjust correlation of our musical culture with the perpetuation of urban poverty, racially charged violence, and the disproportionate incarceration of blacks and browns.

Based in Chicago, Electro Reggae Jam is born of a collaboration between MC Zulu of Foreign Exchange (FEx) and Cosmos Ray of Simmer Down Sound. We believe that as the electronic dance music scene has become increasingly commercialized, certain of its divisional undertones (namely violence, misogyny and homophobia) have been highlighted, and even exploited for economic gain. Our purpose is to highlight the strands the reggae genre has woven throughout the current musical tapestry, and create a space of inclusiveness and celebration. Our priority is to embrace all branches of the respective genres and to showcase them under one roof. Our hope in so doing is to transcend divisions based on race, age, orientation and class, and to serve as an oasis for community building.

October 24th’s Electro Reggae Jam features: South Rakkas Crew (the originators of electro-dancehall), Fada Dougou with Akasha, DJs Rad Brian, Kinky P, DJ NewLife, DJ Ringo. Electro Reggae Jam’s lineup bridges the gaps between musical cultures that have become segregated in both Chicago, and the world at large. In so doing, we demonstrate that soundsystem culture is not just a reappropriated dance craze; its roots lie in liberation, activism and community work.

A portion of profits from the evening will be invested into the Free Write Jail Arts & Literacy Program. Executive Director Ryan “Searchl1te” Keesling will also be making a DJ appearance. Free Write was born in July of 2000, in the Cook County Juvenile Detention Center. Activists provide one-on-one literacy tutoring, creative writing and visual art workshops for detained youth. Anthologies of student writing and art are published by Free Write. There is also a music production segment in which Keesling takes the most pride. Their work is displayed public lyrics in galleries and at other events. Electro Reggae Jam will have a space available to display the work of Free Write artists at the event.

Electro Reggae Jam stands for the preservation and enhancement of the cultural function of our music, and the promotion of artistic and commercial progress. We believe that to achieve these goals, the communities that have traditionally been the ones making the music should also be empowered to control its production and distribution. The collaboration between Electro Reggae Jam and Free Write on October 24 is the embodiment of these principles, and represents the first step in the generation of a new and vibrant community focused on the celebration of Reggae, soundsystem culture and their modern iterations, as well as the Caribbean cultures from which they are born.

For more information:
www.FreeWriteJailArts.org | www.ElectroReggae.com