SIGHTS AND SOUNDS : THE MUSIC AND MURALS OF WASHINGTON , DC
Washington , D . C . may be known as the epicenter of political activity in the United States , and indeed , the world , but beyond the monuments , statues and grand historic buildings for which the city is most famous lies a singular cultural scene brimming with creativity and dynamism .
Go-go music is perhaps one of the best examples of Washington , D . C .’ s unique flavor . Originating in the 1970s , Go-go music emerged as a unique fusion of funk , soul , R & B , and elements of Latin and African rhythms . Characterized by its emphasis on live performance , relentless percussion , punctuated by pulsating conga drums , syncopated cowbells , and driving rhythms from the drum kit , and extended instrumental breaks that keep the audience engaged and dancing , go-go is also equally defined by its call-and-response vocal interaction between the band and the audience . As the lead vocalist or frontman engages the crowd with chants , encouraging them to respond , they create an electric feedback loop of energy that transforms every performance into a communal experience .
Over time , these call-and-response interactions have evolved into a platform for addressing social and political issues , making go-go music not only a sonic experience but also a means of expression and activism — particularly for the African American community who see the music not only as a genre but a living , breathing symbol of unity , resilience , and self-expression that fosters an environment where everyone feels connected , heard , and valued .
In recent years , go-go music has transcended the city ’ s boundaries as artists from various genres have incorporated go-go elements into their music and collaborated with go-go bands , which has brought new life to the genre and introduced it to a wider audience . As evidence of go-go ’ s musical ascendancy and resurgence , the Rooftop Garden at Washington , D . C .’ s Martin Luther King Jr Memorial Library played host to a month-long Go-Go on the Rooftop concert series this past summer in celebration of Black Music Month .
Another famous mural in the city also adorns another local favored eatery , the hip and pet-friendly brewing pub and café , Dacha Beer Garden in Shaw . Created by Byron Peck , the 50-foot mural , features a mammoth image of film legend Elizabeth Taylor , whose trailblazing efforts helped to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS , a scourge that has inordinately affected the D . C . Metropolitan area .
Meanwhile , more recent additions to the street art scene include “ Voices of Change : Representation , Progress , and Hope ,” a commemorative public mural featuring Black leaders including D . C . Mayor Muriel Bowser , Vice President Kamala Harris , and Dr . Martin Luther King , Jr ., painted by local artists Shawn Perkins , Levi Robinson , and Dez Zambrano as part of the 2021 MLK Day of Service Project . There ’ s also a new go-go mural by D . C . native , Kaliq Crosby , at Florida Avenue and Seventh Street NW called " GO-GO CITY ” which showcases a young person beating out a rhythm on an overturned plastic jug , which , according to the artist , is meant to tell “ the story of people with nothing turning it into something .”
These murals , like go-go music , represent the diversity , creativity , and history of Washington , D . C ., while simultaneously providing an avenue for local artists to express their perspectives and local communities to share their stories . As residents and tourists explore the signature sights and sounds of Washington , D . C ., they not only pay homage to the artistic talent that thrives within the city but also become enlightened about a larger narrative beyond politics and the corridors of power that simmers beneath and continues to shape and define our nation ’ s capital .
Go-Go on the Rooftop at Martin Luther King , Jr . Memorial Library
Credit : D . C . Public Library / Imagine Photography
The same spirit that fuels the sound of D . C ., also inspires the sights of D . C . as seen through the lens of the city ’ s vibrant and dynamic street art scene which is rife with murals that capture the essence of the city ’ s diverse identity and culture .
Perhaps the most famous ( and Instagrammable ) mural in Washington , D . C . appropriately graces one of the city ’ s most famous and beloved eateries , Ben ’ s Chili Bowl . Renowned for its signature half-smoke sausage , the popular restaurant has been patronized over the years by a wide range of celebrity guests , including everyone from Ella Fitzgerald , Larry King and former president George W . Bush to Bono , Bruno Mars , and Mary J . Blige . Fittingly , the landmark was made even more famous in 2012 when Nigerian-born local artist , Aniekan Udofia , bedecked the exterior of the building with a spectacular mural that celebrates a wide variety of famous Black Americans — many with ties to Washington , D . C . — to honor the city ’ s rich history of Black culture , including everyone from comedians and musicians like Dave Chappelle , Chuck Brown ( the godfather of go-go music ), and Prince to abolitionists , athletes and politicians including Harriet Tubman , Muhammed Ali and Barack and Michelle Obama .
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