From hip-hop to folk to jazz, Boston’s musical legacy is alive on a new platform showcasing the talents of local musicians. Mayor Michelle Wu and the city's Tourism, Sports and Entertainment Office debuted "Dear Summer Vol. 1)" this July: it's the city's first official mixtape.
"I think we did a good job in representing the sound of the city, the cultural diversity of the city, and just really highlighting and boosting up our artists and also our DJs so we can show that there's talent here right in our backyard," Chimel “ReaL P” Idiokitas, co-executive producer and curator of the mixtape, told Under the Radar.
Representing a variety of music genres, "Dear Summer Vol. 1" features six DJs and 17 artists from the Greater Boston area for a 1-hour, 39-minute soundscape. The new, annual collaboration aims to “connect residents across neighborhoods through music, and celebrate summer).”
"How can we, as the city of Boston, leverage this platform to show artists that they can stay here, that they can make it, that they can bolster their careers?" said John M. Borders IV, Boston's tourism, sports and entertainment director. "I think we have a unique opportunity as the city to champion those folks."
GUESTS
Chimel “ReaL P” Idiokitas, DJ and co-executive producer and curator of “Dear Summer Vol. 1”
John M. Borders IV, tourism, sports and entertainment director for the City of Boston and co-executive producer of “Dear Summer Vol. 1"