Our Moving The Needle Speaker Series this month is in partnership with 1500 Sound Academy.

Ras Austin and Taj Austin of the emerging hip hop group Coast Contra join Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, Abigail Makepeace to talk to the Music Academy students and alumni about “Anxiety and the Next Generation of Mental Health”.

In honor of Black Music Month, this Moving the Needle is brought to you by Live Nation’s WeNation and BeNation ERG groups.

Artists Talib Kweli and Rexx Life Raj join Dr. Olajide Williams in conversation to discuss their lived experiences around “How Music Heals”, personal practices of wellness, touring, grief and much more.

We are honored to kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with legendary artist and Hip Hop Public Health Ambassador Chuck D, along with Journalist, Jimmie Briggs. They dive into the history of hip hop, systemic racism and how trauma plays such a big part of the fabric of American society.

We would also like to thank Fotografiska NY for hosting this remarkable production.

Photo by Johnny Nunez

Acclaimed rapper, singer, and producer JPEG MAFIA, the iconic Darryl DMC McDaniels and our founder, Dr. Olajide Williams discuss creating consciousness around how music can be a powerful therapeutic tool for our mental health, and normalizing conversations about mental health in the same way we may talk about going to the dentist.

The charismatic Afrobeat and hip hop artist Pretty Boy D-O and our founder, Dr. Olajide Williams discuss their personal experiences with racism and their Nigerian roots, how racism is a public health crisis, and the impact that music can have on addressing social justice issues. 

Violin phenom, singer and songwriter Sudan Archives, and legendary artist Darryl “DMC” McDaniels share stories of managing performance anxiety, building their awareness that self-care isn’t selfish, contemplate hip hop’s hopeful and healthy future, and give us a peek into their superhero alter egos.