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Hip-hop artist mourns gentrification of black Seattle neighborhood

Press
50 Next, Experieince Music Project, the hood ain't the same, The Skanner

the Grio – Hip-hop artist mourns gentrification of black Seattle neighborhood

 

SEATTLE, Washington — It’s easy to see facts and figures charting Seattle, Washington’s real estate boom as a positive sign for the city’s economy.

But if you ask hip hop artist Draze, it merely charts the demise of his neighborhood, the Central District.

‘When I look at this place, I think it’s changing,” he said Tuesday. “In some regards, it’s over. It’s dead.”

Draze recently released a music video called “The Hood Ain’t The Same” about gentrification in the Central District and the end of Seattle’s African-American neighborhood.

“We have a responsibility to preserve it if we really want diversity,” explained Draze outside a long-abandoned African-American owned business, “We’re into diversity. We like the concept. But what is diversity if I don’t exist.”

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‘The Hood Ain’t the Same:’ Draze Brings Seattle Together on Gentrification

Press
50 Next, Experieince Music Project, the hood ain't the same, The Skanner

The Skanner Newspaper – ‘The Hood Ain’t the Same:’ Draze Brings Seattle Together on Gentrification

 

Draze, also known as Dumisani Maraire Jr., has an unequalled lineage in the Pacific Northwest: Born in Seattle, he is the son of Dumisani Maraire (1944-1999), the marimba superstar from Zimbabwe who became a University of Washington ethnomusicologist while igniting a musical movement throughout Oregon, Washington and beyond.

His mother, Lora Lue Chiorah, is a multi-talented educator, musician and dancer. His sister Chiwoniso Maraire (1976-2013) was the celebrated mbira artist and singer-songwriter behind the celebrated “Rebel Woman” and “Ancient Voices” recordings — she was called the “Zimbabwe Mbira Queen.” His brother, Tendai “Baba” Maraire, currently tours the globe as half of the Sub Pop experimental hip hop group Shabazz Palaces. Draze’s 12-year-old daughter Nya-J is already making a name for herself with original hip hop music performances and music videos.

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Central Disrtrict News – Hip hop artist Draze releases music video about Central District gentrification

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50 Next, Central District News, Experieince Music Project, the hood ain't the same

Seattle hip hop artist Draze released a music video for his single “The Hood Ain’t the Same” earlier this month. The video shows landmarks and community members throughout the Central District and other south end communities.

“We could have just shot a bunch of buildings but it is the people who give these structures life. We wanted to highlight some of the real people touching the real community at a grass roots level.” says Draze. “As artists I think we have a responsibility to tell our truth to the people, regardless to how uncomfortable it may be. My city is alive but my community is dying, maybe this is my effort or Eulogy to get someone to care.” says Draze.

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Fresh-N-Def.com – Draze – The Hood Ain’t The Same

Press
50 Next, Experieince Music Project, Freshndef, the hood ain't the same

After Debuting these visuals at the “Through the eyes of Art” Art Exhibit for Black History Month at the EMP last week. Draze gives us the video. If you’re from Seattle and Born, Raised, or spent a lot of time in the CD or South End, then the visuals alone will make it worth a view.

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  • Black History Month gets a star-studded kickoff at EMP

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