Tuesday, August 4, 2020

RIP REK 1


     Image by Mota Vate (@motavate on Instagram and Twitter)

We lost a pillar of the arts community this week with the passing of Rek 1. Many knew him as the founder and host of The Unity Project, his brand for throwing hip-hop shows and events in addition to beloved father and friend. I would describe myself as a friendly acquaintance who had very limited interaction with the man ultimately but to me he was one of the Inland Desert’s last priests of boom-bap. I entered this community somewhat through MC Lyfe’s Sunny Days & Vibes showcase so when SDAV show frequency diminished, Rek 1 filled that vacuum with creative ideas like mixtape compilations, benefit shows, producer/beat-maker team-ups and more. In retrospect, he was part of a movement of hip-hop Wynton Marsalises, defenders of the lost arts, appreciators and torch carriers for the Golden era and the art and artists he wanted to celebrate. He always valued artists, let them know it and ran his events with consideration for the audience and performers. It's fitting that he called his main brand The Unity Project, because it absolutely nurtured unity in the community. I’m sure I’m not alone when I say his loved ones and family are in my thoughts, watch this space for announcements on benefits and future projects celebrating his legacy and benefiting his family. 

 His family’s GoFundMe page can be found here.

Information regarding a memorial car wash and cruise on the poster below, I first saw it on Bside Show's instagram but have seen other friends of Rek's share it since as well:


 Tristan "Tanjint Wiggy" Acker is a staff writer for Zus Entertainment, a Jooseboxx and Untapped Hip-Hop contributor, and member of the Inland Empire, California based nerdcore hip-hop group the West Coast Avengers

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