Giving Back…
The good folks at Mi Casa Holiday put together a week-long, virtual series of events & a fundraiser for BUILD (Broader Urban Involvement & Leadership Development). Build is one of Chicago's leading gang intervention, violence prevention, and youth development organizations. Their mission is to engage at-risk youth in schools and on the streets to help them realize their potential as members of their communities. They focus on hard-to-serve youth in some of Chicago’s most challenging neighborhoods.
As a kid growing up in the then gang-infested neighborhood of Chicago called Logan Square, I was mentored by the good folks at BUILD (big shout to Papa Smurf - wherever you are); so when I was asked to put together an hour-long mix, it was the very least that I could do. For this live mix, I wanted to try to lift people’s spirits and I really love the end result. As it went, the mix ended up being a part of the Turntables on The Caribbean segment of the event. I had the honor of playing the live event a few years ago in Tulum and while the virtual experience doesn’t hold a candle to that, it was soooo dope to be a part of such a special group donating their talents for a cause that I once benefitted from.
There were some really amazing mixes put together by some of NYC’s finest - Nickodemus, Spinna and Eddy Plenty, as well as a guest mix by Havana’s DJ Landeep. Unfortunately, I only have my recorded video mix but I’ll post links of the rest of the mixes if they surface and also share the results of the fundraiser. Thank you to all who have donated. I really hope you all enjoy the mix that I did.
Big Love and Thanks,
DJ NewLife