To help bring awareness to the plight facing our Black and Brown youths, Bruce Kelly, R. Kelly’s brother and George Ivey are hosting a musical showcase at Daley Center at 50 W. Washington St.
According to the producer George Ivey, the free event which kicks off Monday, July 24 at 12 p.m., pays tribute to those that have been victims of violent crimes as well those who have lost someone all too early to senseless gun fire.
When asked why our youth were attracted to the violence; Ivey said in a interview “In Chicago there is a thug mentality and it’s territorial. I wouldn’t necessarily blame it on rap but everybody wants to be a thug or a gangster,” he stated as a possible reason.
Ivey shared that all the artists included on the roster, R&B singers from the West Side of Chicago, singers K’lah-Jenay, Elishama Tekoa, Melody Madi, Trend & Topic, Chance, Ko-Star, and dance troupe Kphi9.
Bruce Kelly the brain child of the event responded to the question, “What alternatives does his organization have for the young people caught up in the cycle of violence, that they may want to get out?”
He shared one possible solution; his vision of the new recording studio called “Demo Factory” set to open in Chicago in about 6 weeks. Kelly said “A lot of these teenagers have talent. They sing, rap, draw and they have talent. We are going to help them put together demos and bring their dreams to life.”
Now you have a reason to go shopping downtown. Free music and lot’s of love. Show starts at 12 sharp.
The theme for this event is “putting down the guns and making peace.”
