UMOJA! A Year-End Virtual Celebration
CCCADI presents UMOJA! a year-end virtual celebration to close out this rollercoaster year. Umoja, which means unity in Swahili, is at the core of who we are as a community and in light of events that have transpired in 2020, we wanted to unite the African Diaspora. It doesn't matter if you are Brazilian, Trini, Puerto Rican, Jamaican, East African or Afro-Mexican, Umoja is here to remind us of the importance of togetherness in our families, neighborhoods, nation, and the Diaspora. In order to help us not forget this principle, we have to rejoice in the beauty of our resilient people.
Hosted by our favorite “Lady Who Bronché” Julissa Contreras, UMOJA! will feature a virtual performance by Phony PPL, OSHUN, and Los Pleneros de la 21. The celebration will also showcase the cultural traditions of coquito-making with a short docu series, Coquito Makers!
PERFORMERS
PHONY PPL
Liberation is both the modus operandi and main ingredient of the fearless five-man band Phony Ppl. Comprised of the cream of Brooklyn’s young musician crop, each member is a product of musical parents who gifted their children exposure to the greatest, from Mandrill to Bossa Nova, and, most importantly, wings for exploration and self-discovery. The result is a collective that is as limitless as its music; one that has received praise from the likes of Tyler The Creator and Childish Gambino, performed with Erykah Badu, Fetty Wap and The Roots, and killed festivals (Camp Flog Gnaw), late night television (Jimmy Kimmel) and their own residency at New York City’s legendary Blue Note.
The warmth of lyrics are mainly credited to lead vocalist Elbee Thrie, a former Manhattan School of Music student whose vocals possess a disarming charm and lyrics glowed by advanced perspective and retrospection (“I broke out of my shell just to find that I’m living by myself”). Elbee also made an appearance on the new Snakehips EP “iii’m Not Sorry.” Co-writing, keys and arrangements are handled by trained composer, Aja Grant, who also produces for artists like Mac Miller. The two-man string section is original School of Rock alum Elijah Rawk (also a member of Princess Nokia’s band) and Bari Bass, Phony Ppl’s visual artist and bass player. The crew’s heartbeat is percussionist and former Music Conservatory study Matthew Byas (his father is DJ Jazzy Jay of the legendary Zulu Nation). You can catch Matthew in the studio with Domo Genesis of Odd Future.
Although these shapeshifters created several now Internet buried independent albums since their 2008 inception, it was Yesterday’s Tomorrow (the first 300 Entertainment distribution) that introduced the world to their genre-less flavors. Released in 2015, the audio rainbow offers experimental splashes of jazz, hip-hop, R&B, reggae, soul, rock and many more sub-genre expressions. It hit #6 on the iTunes R&B chart and the media applause roared in: The New York Times called the band “forward-thinking,” NPR chose “brilliant,” Rolling Stone placed their album amongst the year’s 15 greatest.
Anticipation for Phony Ppl’s latest composition has never been as high. Titled mō'zā-ik. because each song is a singular piece of art possessing shapes and colors separate from the others, yet they all adjoin to make symmetrical magic. Setting things off is “Way Too Far,” a slow dance under purple neon to killer lines like, “‘I got you but it's me i'm missing.” “Cookie Crumble” transports ears to the 1950’s after a latin jazz spirit possesses “Once You Say Hello.” The invitation to this exhibition is the palm tree-breezy hip-hop ballad “Before You Get A Boyfriend,” which transcends classification and time. Soft rock of the early 80’s, early 90’s rap, or the mood music of today? For Phony Ppl, the new album is simply an offering to the religion of music and attempt at adding more hues to future radio.
OSHUN
OSHUN is an independent Hip-Hop / Soul duo and the sonic manifestation of Afrofuturism. Using digital and acoustic sounds, heavy drums and bass, and ambient harmonic textures, OSHUN connects with the spirit of their ancestors to manifest a sweeter tomorrow for us all. Since the release of their debut mixtape ASASE YAA in 2015, OSHUN has amassed a social following of over 150k people between Youtube (youtube.com/oshun), Instagram (@oshun),
and Facebook (facebook.com/oshuniverse) alone. They’ve been recognized by media heavy hitters such as Paper Magazine, Rolling Stone, The FADER, Viceland, Huffington Post, NPR, Essence, and Vogue (just to name a few).
They've also performed throughout the U.S. and Brazil all while remaining full-time college students at NYU. It’s been a wonderful journey and now that these young goddesses have graduated college and live on their own, they are transitioning into the next phase of manifesting their purpose. OSHUN is preparing for additional releases of their album series “bittersweet”, complete with captivating visuals, worldwide tour of the US, Canada, Europe, Brazil, and a deeper look into their ever-evolving selves.
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/OSHUNIVERSE/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oshun/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3sGyf3EDcvQ4PB9AGIg84M
LOS PLENEROS DE LA 21
Los Pleneros de la 21 (LP21), the premier East Harlem-based performing ensemble and non-profit community organization, was founded in 1983 by Juan J. ‘Juango’ Gutiérrez (National Endowment for the Arts’ Heritage Fellow, 1996) and the legendary Master Plenero, Marcial Reyes Arvelo. The ensemble was originated under the common goal to promote the importance and beauty of traditional Puerto Rican music and dance to the masses. The ensemble has pioneered the road for bomba and plena performance around NYC, and continues to spread it globally.
LP21’s landmark community-based cultural and educational programs, such as Bomba and Plena Community Workshops for adults and kids; Bomba and Plena In the House for NYC school children; and Cultural Legacy Programs, have created a common space for the recognition, education and practice of Puerto Rican culture and identity. Their programs have educated thousands of individuals, young and old, and inspired dozens of performing groups and aspiring musicians to become leaders in their own right, as they carry bomba and plena into the future for generations to come.
After more than 35 years of performances and a Grammy nomination for their groundbreaking album, Para Todos Ustedes, LP21 remains the dynamic family and intergenerational group of musicians and cultural leaders from East Harlem, the South Bronx and many of NYC’s own local communities. LP21’s latest album, Los Pleneros de la 21 Live at Pregones: 35 years of Bomba & Plena (Truth Revolution Records, Nov 2018), is an ode to the group’s long arduous, yet satisfying journey – milestone indeed, of a lifetime of work, blood, sweat, tears and laughter of countless dedicated bomberos, pleneros, educators and cultural advocates, raising their spear in the name of Puerto Rican bomba and plena, and the makers of this tradition. The album marks a new era for LP21, with a younger generation of musicians taking leadership in re-envisioning LP21’s style and persona.
COQUITO MAKERS: ¿QUIEN LO HIZO?
Coquito has been a staple cocktail for Puerto Rican holidays for generations, it has remained a cornerstone of Holiday traditions for many families in Puerto Rico and the Boricua Diaspora. The origins are contested, with it coming from unknown origins in Puerto Rico to being inspired by eggnog during the Spanish Colonial period. Regardless of its history it has been a holiday dinner mainstay for Caribbean households who have evolved Coquito to countless variations over the decades.
Johnny Rivera, founder of Brooklyn Coquito takes us on an exploration of how this drink has been a cultural conduit for family traditions and Boricua identity. Join him as he visits prominent coquito makers and asks the timely question everyone asks about coquito, “¿Quien lo hizo?”(“Who made it?”)
BROOKLYN COQUITO BIO
Coquito is not only a beverage but A LIFESTYLE. When you think about coquito you think about the LEGACY of the recipe and ingredients that have been passed down by ABUELITAS in PUERTO RICO from GENERATION to GENERATION. You think about JOY. You think about FAMILY.You think about GOOD TIMES. Since 2012, we have DEDICATED ourselves to providing a PREMIUM product that gives our customers NOSTALGIA while creating new EXPERIENCES & MEMORIES.
Through CONSISTENCY and INNOVATION, we are the go to COQUITO. We strive to continue giving our COMMUNITY that same QUALITY year in and year out. And that’s how we show LOVE. The BROOKLYN COQUITO way.
JULISSA CONTRERAS
Julissa Contreras, Dominicana from the Bronx, is a creator of the “Ladies Who Bronche” podcast and the YouTube hit “Shit Spanish Girls Say”. She is a writer, poet, actor, and innovator. Julissa worked in the nonprofit industry for over 10 years both in theatrical and youth development capacities and continues to bridge the two worlds to create dialogue and art that reflects society's overlooked voices through advocacy. In all of her work, Julissa focuses on elevating necessary dialogue through creating connected experiences. Most recently, Julissa worked with Miguel Mckelvey at WeWork developing and managing Impact and DEI programming. Currently, she is consulting brands on DEI, prepping for season 5 of Ladies Who Bronché, and writing her first book of poetry and TV pilot.
CREDITS
Host
Julissa Contreras
Performances by
Phony PPL
OSHUN
Thandiwe “Osuntoki”
Niambi Sala “Omiseeke”
Los Pleneros de la 21
OSHUN Video Production
Videography: Sen Floyd Productions
Audio Engineer: Keith Roberts @bridgetown_sound
Production Managers: Lyndsey Lombard & Larissa Brady-Price
MUA: Penelope M. SierraStylist: Zunyda & Talia Pepe
COQUITO MAKERS
Host
Johnny Rivera
Makers
Debbie Quinones
Cat Feliciano
Tommy Ruiz
Director of Photography
Mario Ruben Carrion
Sound Recordist
Christian Guinanzaca
Editor
Mario Ruben Carrion
Written by
Kat Lazo
Producers
Mikey Cordero
Kat Lazo
Associate Producer
Aaleah Oliver
Music
Epidemic Sound
CCCADI STUDIO PRODUCTION TEAM
Producers
Mikey Cordero
Kat Lazo
Camera
Mario Ruben Carrion
Mikey Cordero
Editors
Kat Lazo
Mikey Cordero
Written by
Kat Lazo
Associate Producer
Aaleah Oliver
Music
Epidemic Sound
CCCADI STAFF
Executive Director ………………………………... Melody Capote
Director of Operations ………………….. Regina Bultron Bengoa
Director of Development ……………………..…… Jose Rivera
Director of Digital Media ……………..…..…….. Mikey Cordero
Executive Assistant ………………………. Patricia Nefertiti Arthur
External Affairs Consultant ………………………… Nina Gale Olson
Building Manager ……………………………..……… Julio Roldan
Development Associate ………………………. Antoinette Gardner
Programs and Media Associate ……………..…….. Aaleah Oliver
SPECIAL THANKS TO
Altman Foundation, American Express Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Ford Foundation, Hispanic Federation, Howard Gilman Foundation, The Jacques Louis Vidal Charitable Fund, the Mosaic Network and Fund in the New York Community Trust, New York Community Trust, Rockefeller Brothers Fund, Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation, Starry Night Fund, Nathan Cummings Foundation New York Women's Foundation Pinkerton Foundation; Corporations: BronxCare Health System, Consolidated Edison, The Durst Organization, United Health Care, WarnerMedia LLC; Public: Harlem Community Development Corporation, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, National Endowment for the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, New York City Council Member Diana Ayala, New York City Council Member Laurie Cumbo, New York City Council Member Vanessa L. Gibson, New York City Council Member Bill Perkins, New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Former City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, New York City Economic Development Corporation, New York State Council on the Arts, New York State Assembly Member Carmen Arroyo, New York State Assembly Member Robert Rodriguez, New York State Senator Kevin Parker, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone; Community Organizations: Casabe House, Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce, Harlem Park to Park, Taino Towers, Uptown Grand Central, WeAct, and other generous individual donors.