Activation Through Creation
*** A YOUTH ON RECORD FELLOWSHIP SHOWCASE ***
Friday March 9th, ALL AGES, 7:30 - 10:30PM
Donations welcome
Denver's millennials are taking over the Art Scene at Youth on Record. Creative minds have aligned in the fight to build community through poetry, music, and food. Come down to support the future and current legends of the Mile High.
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The 2017-18 Fellows are:
Diego Florez is a Denver Homegrown Poet, Artivist, Musician, and Educator. Florez, now 21 years of age, plays in 2 Denver groups: Los Mocochetes (Chicano Funk) and Picture The Waves (Progressive /Jazz / Rock). He will also be releasing arrangements of his own under the alias "Dj Jajarcoté" by the end of 2018. Diego had the opportunity to be on the Denver Minor Disturbance team, then later became a staple with Youth on Record. At 19 years old, Diego became one of Youth On Record’s Partner Artists, sharing his knowledge and skills with Denver high students earning credit in music education. Overall Diego works to bring people together thru the written, spoken, and musical word.
John Paul seeks the truth in the music he creates. With his deep love and passion for music, he has a limitless road ahead of him. His band, LOR, is gaining quite a following, and he was just named as one of Youth on Record’s Fellows – where he will learn to take his artistic and business skills to the next level. John Paul has the ability to transform an audience as well as a tune. He is creative in everything he does, and has a special ability to change the world through his music and his compositions. From the moment that John Paul began playing music, he knew that creating an artistic expression for himself was essential to how he understands the world around him. It’s been said that his music is as beautiful as a sunrise over the Rockies, and tells a story that will shake your soul. John Paul is the future of not only the Denver music scene but the national and global seen as well. He inspires everyone around him to be better.
Leviticus Alan Vigil, better known as “Drain” is an 18-year-old artist, producer and audio engineer/entrepreneur. He has many aspirations. Levi believes that the obstacles he faces today are merely scratching the surface of the ones he will face tomorrow. This is why he takes every situation as a lesson, and as a blessing. He craves education, and looks to the people he meets in all walks of life to be his teacher. Levi has always been filled with audacity and authenticity, and it is this audacity and authenticity that has empowered him to become the young adult he is today. Levi is also a new Youth on Record Fellow – and will add much of his drive and artistic excellence to the cohort. A young man who pushes himself to be a better person, and to exceed his limitations, he has become a young person who has a voice that has impacted the lives of many. His story will inspire greatness for years to come.
Shaun Don thA TRUTH (Always Teach Resilience Utilizing The Heart) is an Artivist, MC, and Poet. Born in Oakland, CA, Shaun grew up with Bay Area Soundz, Kulture, and Heart. He’s a natural Hip-Hoppa who began writing lyrics in middle school while selling blow pops to friends during and after class. He has always been an entrepreneur. Shaun is motivated by the dynamic talent of his mentors, friends, and collaborative partners, most of whom reside in Denver, CO. Shaun's first memory of Hip Hop came from Tupac's hits to his mom and her friends. He inherited his family's sailor mouth with a strong appetite for Social Justice and Art. He is a profound writer, urban intellectual, and spiritual wordsmith who challenges the status quo with powerful lyrics that interrogate daily struggles and historical trauma. Shaun creates timeless Hip Hop classics that remind us the good ole days never left.
Israel Juarez, better known as I$REAL, is a true poetic creative writer dedicated to change in the community through his influential music, positive lyrics, and creative mindset. Born and bred in the Baker neighborhood of Denver. Israel has seen Denver’s Westside change dramatically, but is not afraid of it, and is looking forward to taking advantage of what is going on in this rapidly developing city. Israel’s musical influences include Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Drake, Nas, Miles Davis and his Denver collaborator Kingdom. As he pursues his educational goals, Israel is an extremely valued intern, friend, and family member of Youth on Record and employee of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. I$REAL has recently performed for a sold-out crowd at Marquis Theatre, at the Gypsy House Café and other Denver venues, and at the Aspen Institute in front of international business leaders and stakeholders. Israel was also awarded a Real Rock Star Award by Youth on Record in 2016. Israel is striving to create the Denver hip hop sound. In his words, the Denver music scene he will inherit will be a diverse one, full of “lyrical skill, poetry, and a crazy methodology for creation.” Israel takes pride in his writing skill and ability to grow. Israel mentors a lot of people around him, and believes that he will be the voice of the city and influence millions with his craft, talent, beauty, and soul.
Mona Magno (Monalicious) is a medicine woman of sound, a composer of groovy tunes and empowering mantras. As a songwriter she balances humility with majesty. As a native to Denver, she has grown with the city and has flourished in the arts community through her music and leadership. Currently she writes and performs with the bands Twin Flame Medicine and Flowers Of Mass Production. Aside from creating music, Mona is the founder and executive director of a local community media organization called FreeMusicForFreePeople, which she started when she was seventeen years old. Though she is only at the beginning of her career in the music industry, she is bound to achieve great success.
Elijah Beauford is young activist and community leader ready to fight against oppression and create history by using knowledge as the source. He is seeking to build sustainable networks, and to create community power through social movements and leadership opportunities. Elijah is working on his skills as an orator, and plans to become a General Contractor. He takes big steps towards his goals everyday.
Tommy "Dream" Devine has grown up and lived most of his life in Denver, Colorado. He has studied the works of artists like J. Dilla, Aphex Twin, The Prodigy, Gorillaz, Flying Lotus, Atmosphere and Pretty Lights. From a young age, Tommy understood the power of melody and wanted to become a full time DJ/producer/lyricist and social activist, a person who could unite all communities with art and music. Currently, the music he uses to unite communities mixes soulful hip-hop beats with electronic glitches. In his words, "a soul-funk roller coaster meets a vivid trippy dream with cosmic ambient jazz back beats" … creating an instrumental soundtrack to his life. Tommy states that "music is a language of equality," and it is "bringing more people together than ever before." He is working to make Denver a vibrant place full of peace and equality, and has a strong desire to bridge together communities through art and music.
Stevie Selby is a self taught Photographer, Videographer, and DJ who exceeds industry standards through his unique brand of grit and creativity. With a versatile style that demonstrates his family’s roots on the east coast and west coast, this Denver native feels right at home among the MountainScapes too. He creates a visual haven that extends beyond his photography brand O.T.O and his DJ work as S|Cape. As a photographer, Stevie has shot dozens of artists, musicians and creatives, including sold-out shows for the likes of Masego and Chris Rob and the James Brown Band. Get to know your friendly neighborhood shooter and see the odd world you overcome everyday.
Sly Tapharel Guevara, also known as "S.G." is a professional Rapper, Producer, and Audio Engineer. Born and raised in Denver, Co, "S.G." started his own imprint Crazy Town Entertainment in 2015. He has also helped produce & engineer local and national acts such as Sister Sparrows, Honey Honey, and Arrested Development on Youth on Record’s first Y.O.R. Sessions compilation. Sly respects the greats that came before him; Now he is ready to take the Crazy Town Entertainment wheel through his city and Southwest Hip-Hop into national and international ears, home, and networks.