The late Godfather of Go-Go and music legend Chuck Brown .
As fans of the late Godfather of Go-Go and music legend Chuck Brown prepare to mark his birthday Aug.22, they will also have an opportunity to hear his last release. The wildly anticipated release of Brown’s last album Beautiful Life, on Aug. 19, has fans bouncing for joy.
“As long as we have Chuck’s music, we have Chuck,” said Francine Shaw of Northeast following a pre-launch listening party. “Chuck is a staple of D.C. and this new release is just what some of us need to help bring his birthday celebration in properly.”
The new album contains an intro by Doug E. Fresh, collaborations with rapper Wale, R&B diva Faith Evans, R&B star Raheem DeVaughn, local D.C. icon Sugar Bear, gospel singer and winner of BET’s 2009 Sunday’s Best Y’Anna Crawley, as well as three new songs by the Chuck Brown Band featuring his daughter K.K., Frank Sirius, and Ms. Yendy.
Also, in honor of the late music legend and Grammy-nominated recording artist, D.C.’s Mayor Vincent C. Gray proclaimed Aug. 22, Brown’s 78th birthday, “Chuck Brown Day” in the District. Gray will also reportedly unveil a memorial to the artist, who died in May 2012, named Chuck Brown Memorial Park, located in Langdon Park in Northeast Washington,D.C. The park will contain a memorial wall, replete with 11-foot tall images of Brown. A date for unveiling the memorial has not been scheduled.
Scheduled Brown events include:
Official Chuck Brown Beautiful Life Album Release Aug.19; screening of Put Your Hands Up!, The Tribute Concert to Chuck Brown at U Street Outdoor Movie Series, Harrison Park Aug. 20; Chuck Brown Band Performance – Album Release Event and Birthday Show for Chuck Brown along with the official Chuck Brown Day in Washington, D.C. Aug. 22.