February is Black History Month, and Black culture was essential in creating dance music. To honor these vital contributions, Detroit techno stalwart Carl Craig is championing a new discussion and performance series called All Black Digital.
In partnership with Beatport and Qwest TV, an online music channel co-founded by the legendary music producer, Quincy Jones, Craig will host discussions with prominent thought leaders every week in February.
Craig will discuss the Black origins of techno with Make Techno Black Again’s DeForrest Brown Jr.. He will also celebrate 30 years of his own revered record label, Planet E Communications, with friends, labelmates, and fellow Detroit-bred artists DJ Minx and DJ Holographic.
The month will culminate in a live-streamed DJ set from Craig and a series of African born artists from Constitution Hill in Johannesburg, South Africa, where they will be raising money for Bridges For Music, a charity bringing music to disadvantaged communities.
“It’s a great honor to return to South Africa and to perform in the motherland of my ancestors. The music I have been making, producing and performing for the past 30 years is an homage and continuation of what was born in Africa and runs through my blood here in Detroit,” says Craig.
Quincy Jones adds, “Constitution Hill is where my brother Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and it tells an inspirational, yet painful, story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. With all its rich history, DJ Carl Craig has also chosen it as the location on which he will perform a unique DJ set on Qwest TV. He’ll be joined by a range of great African talent in celebration of electrotronic music, from Detroit to South Africa, in support of Bridges for Music, an absolutely wonderful initiative designed to educate kids through music. Keep on keepin’ on!”
View the full schedule of discussions and performances for All Black Digital below:
Feb 10 at 5pm Berlin / 11am New York / 8am LA – Conversation #1 – Make Techno Black Again – Carl Craig in Conversation with DeForrest Brown Jr.
Feb 17 at 5pm Berlin / 11am New York / 8am LA – Conversation #2 – AfroFuturism – Carl Craig in Conversation with King Britt
Feb 24 at 5pm Berlin / 11am New York / 8am LA – Conversation #3 – Planet E 30 – Carl Craig in Conversation with DJ Holographic & DJ Minx
Feb 25 at 5pm Berlin / 11am New York / 8am LA – Conversation #4 – African Special – Carl Craig In Conversation with Guests TBA
Feb 25 – Live Stream Performances from South Africa’s Constitution Hill ft Carl Craig, Villosoul, DJ Zinhle, Da Capo, Shimza and DJ Buhle
Watch Conversation and Performances Live on Beatport
https://twitch.tv/beatportofficial
