Spirit triumphs even in the most dismal circumstances. Russell’s poetry and artistry illuminates readers to his experience. By transcending the boundaries where understanding was obsolete and emotions were misguided his prose instructs us on how to see beyond the surface image of the prison system and look deeper at how our actions can bring about change.

This National Poetry Month we are sharing the work of incarcerated artist, Russell Wardlow. Words have the incredible capacity to change how we feel and illuminate what was once unknown. By sharing about "Prose of a Con," a collection of his writings, we seek to show the humanity and hope of individuals like himself who are incarcerated.

For transcript and more writing by Russell: https://proseofacon.com/2021/04/15/wright-wronged/

Wright Wronged by Russell Wardlow

Daily, our minds withstand an immense amount of information, but it is our hearts that can discern the good from the bad with an inexhaustible abundance of empathy. Using the language of the heart, poetry communicates a deeper message for compassion and wisdom, which can help us rise beyond the misguided actions of the prison legal system and build understanding and connectivity to incarcerated individuals.

This National Poetry Month we are sharing the work of incarcerated artist, Russell Wardlow. Words have the incredible capacity to change how we feel and illuminate what was once unknown. By sharing about "Prose of a Con," a collection of his writings, we seek to show the humanity and hope of individuals like himself who are incarcerated.

Read a transcript of this piece and more poems by Wardlow:
https://proseofacon.com/2021/04/04/feet-dont-fail-me-now/

Feet Don't Fail Me Now by Russell Wardlow

Ghanian reggae & world music artist and human rights ambassador Rocky Dawuni speaks to Give a Beat's by Mick Jacobs about art and activism. www.giveabeat.org

Rocky Dawuni: Building Bridges

We spoke to Fury Young about "Die Jim Crow," and the time and effort put into the upcoming EP, debuting on May 1st, 2016. 
 
Collaborating with former and current incarcerated black Americans across the country, Young plans to release their recordings as an album, one which takes a long hard look at the racial disparities within our prison systems.  Titled "Die Jim Crow," the project includes the stories and struggles of dozens of incarcerated men and women through a variety of genres ranging from hip-hop to heavy metal.

Learn more here.  http://www.diejimcrow.com and join us in supporting the kick-starter campaign!

Story and interview by Mick Jacobs
Photo by Catherine Roma


Die Jim Crow - Fury Young Story

Dancefloor Thunderstorm: Land of the Free, Home of the Rave captures the soul and self-sufficiency at the dawn of the rave.  Through colorful, candid photography, music and celebrity photojournalist Michael Tullberg illustrates the story of the SoCal rave scene, the story history never recorded.  A veteran of rave culture, Tullberg made a name for himself among ravers and artists alike, thereby establishing his own expertise on the underground.
Tullberg’s work graced the pages of Rolling Stone and Time, and found its way to the studios of Oprah and Ellen.  This latest project encompasses what he loves best, conveying the “energy” (as he consistently refers to it) of the dancefloor to people unfamiliar with the scene.  By the late nineties, that energy had developed into a perfect tempest of sounds and scenes, and we see it here through the very eye of the storm.


Dancefloor Thunderstorm - Interview with Michael Tullberg by Mick Jacobs

As snail mail grows more antiquated with each iPhone update, receiving a physical letter bestows a sort of importance upon its contents.  Jim Tremayne, editor of DJ Times Magazine, responds to the publication's fan mail, and looks forward to receiving a particular type of snail mail, prison letters.  Over the years, Tremayne has established conversations with many inmates who've reached out, always happy to lend a helping hand, especially on his favorite subject, music.

Such correspondences led him to Give a Beat, where he now works alongside the organization in promoting awareness of America's mass incarceration crisis.  From his point of view, Give a Beat catalyzes change by starting a dialogue, one which isn't present in our mainstream media or culture.  Because mass incarceration remains uncommon in our conversations, the issue needs to be made not only understandable, but relate-able.  For Tremayne, Give a Beat presents a unique opportunity to help connect others to the cause, the same way a few letters connected him to new relationships.

Photo credit: Janice Pupelis

Interview with Jim Tremayne by Mick Jacobs

On June 16th, in partnership with DANCEGRUV RADIO and DJ Times, Give a Beat launched the Prose of a Con radio series with a Father's Day Special. In this episode we introduce poet, writer, and incarcerated artist Russell Wardlow and Katie Andrews - best friends who started this collaboration.  

Pontchartain, a Detroit social worker, DJ and producer, is interviewed by Jim Tremayne of Dj Times. He reads two powerful pieces of Russell's work related to Father's Day. 

Special thanks to Mick Jacobs who interviews Katie, Myxzlpix for the graphics,  to Julia and Cody for artist coordination and social media promotion and to Michelle and Marshall from DanceGruv Radio for everything!

If you would like to support Russell, you can donate to his re-entry fund:
https://www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NDIxMjM=

Prose of a Con - The Russell Wardlow Story

Prose of a Con - The Russell Wardlow Story (Father's Day Special)

Give a Beat partners with DanceGruv Radio and DJ Times for a new radio series called Prose of a Con, featuring the work of Russell Wardlow. Wardlow is a father, poet, activist and resident at Omaha Correctional Center, where he composes all his pieces. His poignant and insightful prose speaks to the destructive nature of the prison system and the healing power of artistic expression.

This first episode features an intro by Russell himself, his friend Katie, followed by a reading and interview by Oscar P.

Each episode will showcase Wardlow’s prose and poetry spoken aloud by DJs from across the electronic music community including Briddy, Blackliquid, DJ E-Clyps, Eli (Soul Clap), Mr. V, Myxzlplix, Nickodemus, Oscar P, Pontchartrain, and Stacey Hotwaxx Hale. The episodes will be airing every other Sunday at 5pm EST until December 22nd.

If you would like to support Russell, you can donate to his re-entry fund:
www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NDIxMjM=

Special thank you to Keith Kohn for sound editing!

Prose of a Con - Episode 1 - Oscar P

Give a Beat partners with DanceGruv Radio and DJ Times for a special radio series called Prose of a Con, featuring the work of Russell Wardlow. Wardlow is a father, poet, activist and resident at Omaha Correctional Center, where he composes all his pieces. His poignant and insightful prose speaks to the destructive nature of the prison system and the healing power of artistic expression.

Episode 2 features an intro by Russell in which he discusses the two featured pieces, "Politics" and "Mother's Day 2015," read by Nickodemus and Briddy, respectively. The pieces are followed by a short interview with Briddy, in which she discusses her views on mass incarceration and involvement with the Prose of a Con series. 

Each episode will showcase Wardlow’s prose and poetry spoken aloud by DJs from across the electronic music community including Briddy, Blackliquid, DJ E-Clyps, Eli (Soul Clap), Mr. V, Myxzlplix, Nickodemus, Oscar P, Pontchartrain, and Stacey Hotwaxx Hale. The episodes will be airing every other Sunday at 5pm EST until December 22nd.

If you would like to support Russell, you can donate to his re-entry fund:
www.flipcause.com/secure/cause_pdetails/NDIxMjM=

Special thank you to Keith Kohn for sound editing!

Prose of a Con - Episode 2 - Nickodemus & Briddy

Prose of a Con is a collection of Russell Wardlow’s prose and poetry written entirely behind bars. Through writings on family, spirituality, freedom, love, justice, redemption, and vulnerability, Russell seeks to show the humanity and hope of individuals like himself who are incarcerated.

Read "Evolving Dream" on at https://proseofacon.com/2021/01/15/evolving-dream/

"Evolving Dream" by Russell Wardlow

Give a Beat is a California based non-profit organization that serves as a catalyst for social change by bridging the electronic music community with youth and families affected by mass incarceration. Through active collaborations with music producers, promoters, artists and socially conscious companies, we are raising awareness of pressing issues and injustices at live music events and through online platforms.

Learn more on our website: www.giveabeat.org

Give a Beat

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