Viva La Hip Hop

What’s going on in Oakland? This First Friday, Youth Radio has the answer. Earlier this year, the Kennedy Center asked them to remix Marvin Gaye’s landmark album for a modern audience. On November 2nd, you can hear it for yourself — along with a special set by 1-O.A.K.

What’s Going On is credited as on of the greatest soul albums of all time. Before its release, Marvin Gaye had risen to fame with more traditional love songs like “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.” But Gaye’s brother was serving in the Vietnam War, and as they exchanged letters, Gaye musician started to wonder what America would look like to a returning solder — and that’s how his greatest album was born.

As part of What’s Going On‘s 40th anniversary, the Kennedy Center asked artists to remix the album using the original multi-track recordings. After all, the themes it covers — urban poverty, social justice, the effects of a controversial war — are just as relevant as ever, especially in cities like Oakland.

Brandon McFarland, a musician and producer who performs as 1-O.A.K., worked with young musicians at Youth Radio to produce a remix for the modern age. He’ll be presenting the entire remix live at Oaklandish on First Friday. You can read more about the story behind the mix here.

Youth Radio is a program that helps young people learn how to express themselves through media, from storytelling to journalism and music production. The skills and support they receive help further their education and find jobs are graduation. Over the years, Youth Radio has won Peabody, Edward R. Murrow and Gracie Awards.

As always, our stalwart friends at FiveTen Burger will be serving curbside burgers, and there will be free Oakland-brewed beer and wine from our friends at Linden Street Brewery and Urban Legend Cellars. The festivities will run from 7 until 11, with help from our resident DJ, Dion Decibels. It might be the Day of the Dead, but downtown Oakland lives.

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Plus from the folks that brought you Special Delivery, Endless Canvas will be on hand for a live screen printing between 7pm-9pm near Rock Paper Scissors Gallery.

*While Supplies Last