Redefining Sonic and Safety Standards in the Music Industry: The New Diaspora Music Experience – BrownGirlMag
Posted By admin on July 14, 2022
5 min read
The bass is loud and each time the beat drops, sound waves ripple through the audience and the sea of concert-goers moves like a single-bodied organism swimming through the soundscape. Clusters of women slowly emerge and dot the perimeter of the room. They move in packs to escape the sinister graze of unwanted strangers. Its a safety-in-numbers ploy.
I make my way through the crowd to the green room to have a conversation I am dreading to have with an event organizer, a headliner, a music manager or an executive. Its usually an exchange I am never comfortable with. More often than not, this is the trickle-down effect of immoral music executives. When misogyny, sexual misconduct and abuse of power dictate the standards by which artists must learn to operate, it is no surprise that the audiences entire experience becomes contaminated.
Artists and industry professionals should not have to endure the macabre tropes of the industry. But navigating the music industry often means traversing demeaning, exploitive, and downright predatory behavior by those who hold the keys to success.
How did unprofessional environments, harassment and sexual exploitation become endemic? In fact, youd likely be hard-pressed to find a young artist/music professional that hasnt been a victim of some form of abuse in the early days of their careers. And this fact especially holds true for artists of color.
Therefore, it is crucial to recognize and support inclusive spaces where the safety of artists, audiences and workers is a priority. In doing so, we start a collective movement that takes away the power of predatory keepers by taking away our support and more importantly, our attention. For this reason, weve compiled a list of event producers and upcoming shows that take entertaining, safety, and inclusivity seriously. Great music, great dancing, and a zero-tolerance policy for predatory behaviorand the vibes are ELITE.
After years of traversing substandard experiences for South Asian artists, weve started to find, and even create, spaces that foster a sonic community suspended in boundless joy.
Photo credit: Rattan Prakash Singh
No Nazar LA is a non-profit collective started by creative directors and DJs Malinder, Bianca and Omar, three creatives with a long history of pioneering global sounds, inclusivity and high-quality musical experiences. The trio has cultivated environments that integrate their varying backgrounds and platforms that garner support from communities near and far. Their edits, visual identities and intentionality are clear in every aspect of their events, and the music iswell, you dont want to miss it. The collective recently played Hollywood Pride as the first South Asian crew and had all of Vancouver dancing for Pride set during 5XFest at Beaumont Studios. Having toured with the most successful musicians and traveled the world as a Dholi, Malinder shares the imperative mission to support other communities, cultures and musical experiences in efforts to uplift everyone, together. From Los Angeles to the world, aint no party like a No Nazar party.
United Kingdom-based Dialledin is an arts and culture festival that embodies innovation and inclusivity. Dialledins commitment to high-quality arts experiences is unlike any other. From the selection of venues to the grassroots promotion of diverse South Asian talent their commitment is apparent in each carefully curated event and property. I had the privilege of attending Dialledins April festival at Hackneys EartH venue earlier this year and its safe to say in a time where representation is commercialized and internet echo chambers reign supreme, Dialledins physical and digital experiences are incomparable. The energy, authenticity and non-judgemental environment make for untainted musical bliss. The collective just wrapped up their Boiler Room Pakistan experience, their last festival featuring incredible acts like Anoushka Shankar, Jitwam, Nabihah Iqbal and other BGM favorites like DJ Manaraaa and more. You might want to head to the UK for their next festival on September 10 in London.
Photo credit: Anand Mohapatra
Previously known as the Vancouver International Bhangra Competition, 5Xfest has since become a staple South Asian festival platforming Canadian and global talent in Vancouver, British Columbia. The week-long festival spans genres, communities, and locations across Surrey and Van. The festival employs young creatives from the area itself while partnering with local venues, production companies and talent that reflect their values: good music and inclusive vibes. This years fest consisted of 5X Blockparty, 5X Artparty, 5X Podcasts, a secret warehouse party and 5X Pride! Creative director Tarun Nayar and general manager Harpo Mander, along with the entire team, are redefining what it means to create large-scale experiences that keep audiences entertained and safe. This years performances included Rehma, Shreea, AR Paisley, Raaginder, Khanvict, Harleen, Intenze, Hark, Peak, Raaginder, Ajay, Tesher, Avanti Nagral, Jasmine Sandlas and interactive art installations like Taruns plant music and Sahil Mrokes multi-sensory curated art gallery. Head to Van for 5X next year and then stay for the views!
In its 16th year, Desifest is platforming South Asian talent in Torontos Yonge Dundas square. Run by Sats B, Desifest is designed to showcase the varying languages, backgrounds and styles of South Asian artists and music. The 11-hour show ranges from classical Carnatic, Hindustani and Bangladeshi stylings to classics like Raghav, Deep Jandu, and everything in between. The festival attracts nearly 10,000 people and folks passing by, providing exposure on a large scale to a community that may otherwise never be exposed to our art. Desifest also prioritizes platforming local and upcoming talent in an effort to help them learn festival sets, production and how to engage with large audiences! The festival is free, fun and in one of the greatest music cities in the world, the six.
DJ Rekhas commitment to creating spaces that were truly for the people by the people is evident in every project. From 20 years of Basement Bhangra to Ronak and their time teaching music and curating, many South Asian artists have experienced their first stage with DJ Rekha.
The 20-year long monthly party may have come to a close in 2017, but DJ Rekha and myself are celebrating the 25th birthday of Basement Bhangra at Central Parks Summerstage on August 6, 2022, at 2 p.m. in New York City. A free event featuring Jasmine Sandlas, Red Baraat, DJ Rekha, Raaginder, Ganavay, Dave Sharma, Zeemuffin, DJ Ushka, Rajuju Brown, Sikh Knowledge and last but not least, Ajna Dance, this ones worth RSVPing to here.
Basement Bhangra 25th Birthday Bash: DJ Rekha / Jasmine Sandlas / Red Baraat / Ganavya / Raaginder / David Sharma / Sikh Knowledge / DJ Ushka / ZEEMUFFIN / Ajna Dance / Rajuju Brown
The idea that great music and safe spaces cant coexist is manufactured and false. The incredible curators above are seeing global accolades, and awards and have audiences from near and far desperate to experience sonic joy, safely.
As we grow in entertainment, we implore you to think critically, have preferences and maintain high standards. Seek out not those that claim first/few of many/only, but those who promote everyone/always/more of.
As always, our art and artists cannot grow if we do not:
Stay tuned for part two as weve got more events youll want to save to your calendar. Have an event you love attending or are hosting? Direct message me (Jashima Wadehra) at @jashimaw on Instagram.
Continue reading here:
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- Singers The Bala Boys on buying a one-way ticket to Chennai, the diaspora and working with a twin - The Hindu - March 12th, 2023
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- Daylight Africa celebrates 20th anniversary of African Union in Gambia - The Point - The Point - September 21st, 2022
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- Arts On Site Presents The Diaspora Fest: A Celebration Of Black Performing Artists - Broadway World - September 8th, 2022
- Proxy Indians: Diaspora success stories should give rise not to rejoicing but to regret for talent lost to us - Times of India - September 8th, 2022
- People of Indian Diaspora including J&K have become most prosperous group in the world: LG - Greater Kashmir - September 8th, 2022
- UN Honours the Contributions of the African Diaspora - IDN InDepthNews | Analysis That Matters - September 8th, 2022
- The Race for the Votes from BiH and the Diaspora begins - Sarajevo Times - September 8th, 2022
- The African Diaspora: We are family - The Voice Online - September 6th, 2022
- There is no institutional Connection between the State of BiH and the Diaspora - Sarajevo Times - September 6th, 2022
- Om Birla interacts with Indian diaspora in Paris, hails their contribution in India's growth journey - Devdiscourse - September 6th, 2022
- Nagar: For most of the Indian diaspora in Calgary, Churchill is not worthy of a statue - Calgary Herald - September 6th, 2022
- Indian envoy asks diaspora youth to connect to their roots,... - The American Bazaar - July 31st, 2022
- Nigerians in diaspora will soon be able to vote, says Orji Kalu - Guardian Nigeria - July 31st, 2022
- What my family's photographs and their fashions revealed to me about the Caribbean-Canadian diaspora - CBC.ca - July 31st, 2022
- Mayor of Island of Maio in Cabo Verde visits New Bedford - SouthCoastToday.com - July 31st, 2022
- Clever ways Kenyans in the diaspora are investing back home - The Standard - July 31st, 2022
- Turning Passion into Reality - St. Lucia News From The Voice - The Voice St. Lucia - July 31st, 2022
- Saving women from the men they leave - The Statesman - July 31st, 2022
- Dance, diversity and diaspora - The New Indian Express - July 23rd, 2022
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- Bringing the Sounds of the Diaspora Home - Armenian Weekly - July 21st, 2022
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- Getty Images Tells Stories of Black Diaspora With 30,000 Rare Images - My Modern Met - July 21st, 2022
- Minister Theodorikakos: Extending Greek Passport Validity To 10 Years Will Lessen Bureaucracy For Diaspora - GreekCityTimes.com - July 21st, 2022
- The life of the Church and the Diaspora in Adelaide - Orthodox Times - Orthodoxtimes.com - July 21st, 2022
- Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art to showcase contemporary artists of the African diaspora - Daily Independent - July 21st, 2022
- Herald Artday to host charity auction to help Korean youth diaspora project - The Korea Herald - July 21st, 2022
- Youth from Diaspora tipped on business opportunities in Rwanda - The New Times - July 21st, 2022
- Pacific Engagement Visa quotas need to be set strategically and selectively - devpolicy.org - July 21st, 2022
- How to Resist China's Campaign of Transnational Repression - The Diplomat - July 21st, 2022
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- Tourism Minister Bah meets Gambians in the UK - The Point - The Point - July 21st, 2022
- A Woman of the World: Armen Ohanian, Published by Armenian Series at Fresno State - The Armenian Mirror-Spectator - July 21st, 2022
- What is a Diaspora? (with picture) - Cultural World - July 18th, 2022
- Seven mistakes the African diaspora make when starting a business in Africa - How we made it in Africa - July 18th, 2022
- Report: Getty Images Opens Access to 30000 Images of Black Diaspora in UK and US - LJ INFOdocket - July 18th, 2022
- Culture Talk: Curator Kanitra Fletcher on the Exhibition Afro-Atlantic Histories: It's About 'How the African Diaspora Comprises All These Voices and... - July 18th, 2022
- Rwandan youth in Diaspora urged to replicate 'Walk to Remember' - The New Times - July 18th, 2022
- Diaspora claims that Registration System for Elections on the BiHCEC is not working - Sarajevo Times - July 18th, 2022
- Voluntary slavery rampant in the Diaspora - The Herald - July 18th, 2022
- Kenyans in the diaspora embrace new tech solution, KimboCare - GhettoRadio 89.5 FM - July 18th, 2022
- The Middle Eastern Party Scene Thriving in Brooklyn - The New York Times - July 18th, 2022
- HIAS: An important step for the networking of the Greek scientific diaspora with Greece - Hellenic News of America - July 14th, 2022
- Vic Mensa's 'SKIN + MASKS' Exhibit Puts a Spotlight on the Diaspora's Most Talented Artists - OkayAfrica - July 14th, 2022
- SendSprint launches in the UK with a $5 flat fee for international transfers - TechCabal - July 14th, 2022
- Jamaicas Opposition Tour of the Diaspora begins this Wednesday (July 13) - South Florida Caribbean News - July 14th, 2022
- Most Ugandans in Diaspora are ignorant of the investment incentives - New Vision - July 14th, 2022
- Elegies' investigates the presenceand absenceof the Black body - Document Journal - July 14th, 2022
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