District-based hip-hop artist Head-Roc, known nationally as “The Mayor of D.C. Hip Hop,” has teamed with grassroots community organization Empower DC for a series of outdoor concerts urging city residents to turn out in droves for the Nov. 2 General Elections.
However, the organizers’ mission doesn’t stop there. The concert series was also established in hopes of encouraging D.C. residents to join an activist organization and become educated about city officials’ agendas and plans for the city. Empower DC hopes to fulfill its mission – promoting self-advocacy among low- and moderate-income DC residents –by participating in the concert series. In addition, the group has led efforts to uphold the rights of public housing residents, prevent the closing of public schools, ensure accountability from government officials and challenge the privatization of public properties in the District.
A number of the area’s progressive groups are co-sponsoring the tour and will be on hand to disperse information about their campaigns, distribute voter education materials and hand out surveys describing where candidates stand on a plethora of issues.
“It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow Chocolate City residents here in Washington, D.C., and have a real discussion about what we’re facing if things keep going the way they’ve been going for poor Black and Brown families working to fulfill the American Dream in the Nation’s Capital,” said Head-Roc in a statement.
Head-Roc will perform songs from his recently completed release, The Empower DC Project, comprised of songs inspired by what he describes as “the most fearless community organizing group in D.C.” The project includes a theme song for each of Empower DC’s primary organizing campaigns, focusing on affordable housing, child care, education and saving public property.
The Empower DC Project concert tour will visit neighborhoods from Anacostia to Adams Morgan from Oct. 19- Nov. 1. For show times and locations, visit empowerdc.org and head-roc.com.