It’s easy to lose track of the beat. The Trump administration has doubled down on ICE raids and in re-upping a zero tolerance refugee policy, caused immigrant detention camps to overflow with wrongfully detained individuals and families. Protest in the face of these actions has been loud. Just this week, we’ve seen rush hour reminders about kids in cages go viral, faith-based pro-immigrant rallies in Los Angeles, traffic blocks near ICE-compliant tech stores in Manhattan and Maryland county council buildings alike, and neighborhood group-led marches in San Francisco.
On Friday, Brooklyn-based label APOCALIPSIS will drop a 37 track compilation to keep you on rhythm for this time of strife. Sin Fronteras’ sales will go to some very deserving organizations that are working hard on the defense of refugees and immigrants; the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Eduction and Legal Services (RAICES), Immigrant Defense Project, and the Detention Watch Network.
Per the label’s custom, on this latest project APOCALIPSIS props up the power of musical fusion to make points about the cultural strength bolstered via diaspora. Sounds have been pulled from the label’s extensive network of beat makers and other artists who (don’t) play with underground dance beats, discordant dembow, dancehall en español, and a host of other rhythms designed to power you through one of the most dispiriting cultural epochs of modern times. The compilation unites the talents of producers from across the US; Houston, New York City, Miami, Philly, Los Angeles, and other metropolitan areas are represented on the track list.
Today, Remezcla premieres one of the compilation’s track courtesy of Dominican, New Jersey-based producer DJ Dana Lu, whose “Canto De Unidad” weaves sad horns, submerged chant, and sharp, relentless percussion to channel anger and grief into action.
If the two-minute track leaves you with a vibe that bears continuing, take heart because opportunities abound to check Lu’s set mastery. She represented for NJ at the September 15th Boiler Room Jersey Club Special, which was hosted by the transcendent DJ UNIIQU3 and also featured sets by Ase Manual, DJ Smallz, Tah, and Luv. You’ll be able to check out the sets when they air this weekend.
Or better yet; catch Lu and the APOCALIPSIS family live. If you’re in New York, you have a chance to check APOCALIPSIS’ release party for the project at Brooklyn club Elsewhere Zone One. In the building and in effect will be Lu, in addition to other compilation artists like Anna Morgan, ARCHANGEL, Arkedabar, LOKA, Mala Fama, Riobamba, Sabine Blaizin & Okai, and Shell X. It’s free before midnight with an online RSVP, and a $10 advance otherwise.
Stream the song here: