Activists, Bands & Protestors Gather To Defend D.C. Legacy
by: Bossip Staff
The generic gentrifiers of D.C. are trying to suck up the cultural flavor the Chocolate City has left by muting go-go music from the city.
According to WTOP, the iconic Metro PCS store in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood came under fire when someone reportedly complained about the go-go music they play from their outdoor speakers. The unseasoned sour sop reportedly lives in a new luxury apartment building nearby, and they threatened to sue if the PCS store didn’t cut off the tunes. T-Mobile thus told their store to cut off the music they’ve been playing from their speakers for almost 25 YEARS.
The people of D.C. were not having it.
Activist and longtime go-go promoter Ronald Moten started a petition online demanding T-Mobile bring back the go-go music. The petition has already received over 59,000 signatures.
Anna-Lysa Gayle
✔@ABC7Annalysa
“Tell T-mobile, the city, and residents who don’t understand the cultural significance and history of go-go music in Washington, D.C. that this is unacceptable. Bring back the music!” – Petition https://www.change.org/p/ronald-moten-don-t-mute-dc-s-go-go-music-and-culture?recruiter=947933319&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink&utm_campaign=share_petition&utm_term=eb06114e75414698a840b2d91c7a6e19 …
Don’t Mute DC’s Go-Go Music and Culture
change.org
Anna-Lysa Gayle
✔@ABC7Annalysa
NOW: Dispute between Ron Moten, who started petition, and resident who says he wants business to turn down the go-go music on 7th St. NW. pic.twitter.com/MU6c2luCCO
THE PARTY KINGPIN !!@DJQUICKSILVASo “they” said that WE were making too much noise outside with OUR music so we decided to remind them WE were here 1st .Good luck getting some sleep tonight on U st #DontMuteDC #QuickSilvaShow #TOB
DMV native Wale even came through to support the people.
Rare Cartier@Biggscooley
Rare Cartier@BiggscooleyThe Whole city out @Wale @FlexKartel This is no longer a small thing, This a movement. We coming at full force and they can’t mute us #DontMuteDC pic.twitter.com/WUtp20vBFp
Now, with new residents trying to mute Metro PCS, the issue of gentrification in the city seems to be getting more exposure. On Monday, D.C. councilwoman Brianne Nadeau sent a letter to T-Mobile’s senior vice president of government affairs, urging the company to change their demands against PCS’ go-go music:
“Go-go is a blend of funk, hip-hop, Latin, and other genres that emerged in the ’60s and ’70s. It is a unique product of D.C. and its black residents. To this day, it is the indisputable sound of D.C. and its suburbs. This corner is often where many hear go-go for the first time. The music that has played there since at least 1995 – and the CDs sold next door – have kept this cultural spirit alive.”
UPDATE: The CEO of T-Mobile tweeted out a statement regarding the go-go music playing from Metro PCS, saying:
“I’ve looked into this issue myself and the music should NOT stop in D.C.!
@TMobileand@MetroByTMobile are proud to be part of the Shaw community – the music will go on and our dealer will work with the neighbors to compromise volume.”
