Freedom Marching Project
Donation protected
Hello Friends and Family
I am reaching out because I am working on a Social Justice project titled, Freedom Marching. I’ve been working on this project for about 8 months now and due to the importance of this project, majority of my free time is dedicated to seeing this through. I am passionate about this project and would love if you could take a moment to learn more about it, the inspiration behind it, the goal of the project, the artists involved, intro to my team, current funding bodies and your donations.
Freedom Marching Project
The Freedom Marching Project is a Publice Service Announcment (PSA) Commercial, 2 Song EP, 2 Music Videos & a Behind The Scene Docu-Series. All of which embodies the voice of the black community around Anti-Black Racism, Oppression, White Supremacy and a need for systemic change.
The PSA Commercial will speak on the current state of systemic racism and its impact to the community in areas such as: health & wellbeing, policing & criminal justice and Economics & Employment. The PSA will be narrated by a number of community members/activists/leaders, artists and athletes from around Ontario.
The 2 Song EP will feature the songs: Freedom Marching (R&B Version) & Freedom Marching (Hip Hop Version). Together both songs will feature over 30 Black Artist from around Ontario lending their voices to the cause. Some local artists involved are: Carlos Morgan, Laura Mae Lindo, The Waterloo Region Mass Choir, Nefe, Londa Larmond , Ashrose , Leila Dey, Dwayne Morgan D.O, Dan-E-O, Tobias and many more...
Early on in the projects creation a production company began capturing all the behind the scene moments. These clips will then be edited into a 3 to 4 episode Docu-Series that will be released on various social media platforms.
Upon completion of the audio recordings of the songs, I will be shooting music videos for each of them. My vision is to be as raw as I can to show the experience of our black communities. From the impacts these systems have on our black communities, to the resiliency, restraint, creativity, dedication and motivation our communities have to overcome these oppressive constructs and to the strength we have gained by saying enough is enough. Overall, the visuals will reflect the honesty and realness that are represented within the lyrics of each of the songs.
All proceeds from the project will be donated to a max of 3 initiatives/programs/ organizations/causes that are combating anti-black racism, oppression and discrimination within the current systems and communities. We are currently narrowing down where the proceeds will be going. As soon as we have narrowed them down, I will update this Go Fund Me with that information.
Inspiration behind the Project
Summer 2020 was a moment in time where the world stopped and I, like many, said enough is enough. The public banded together to become one voice with the black community, to speak on issues that have been disproportionately impacting our communities for decades/centuries.
On June 3rd, 2020 a number of activists and community organizers in the Waterloo Region came together to plot, plan, organize and mobilize against systemic racism and police brutality that have plagued communities within Waterloo Region and around the World. Through their alliance they organized the “Solidarity March”, which had an estimated 30,000 plus people in attendance.
https://www.kitchenertoday.com/local-news/thousands-descend-on-kitchener-core-for-solidarity-march-22-photos-2408216
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/k-w-solidarity-march-black-lives-matter-thousands-1.5597506
I attended the march and came to the realization that I only understood these issues on a surface level and needed to do more to educate myself on the issues that were presented at the march. I turned to books to equip myself with the information and sought out local activists and community elders when I needed guidance for understanding (still do to this day). As I continue to grow I am aware that I don’t have all the right terms down, I don’t know all the laws and ways the systems area rigged to oppress my people. I am just a regular guy who creates music, who is tired of witnessing and learning about the injustices my community faces/deals with on a daily basis. I am by no means an activist but I have taken a leap to use my art as a means of something I could bring to the table to add to the fight for social justice. Whatever art I submit will be a contribution, therefore, in no way, will I seek any kind of profit/proceeds generated from my work/ submission.
I started writing the song "Freedom Marching " late summer of 2020. I knew I wanted to the song to embody the thoughts/feelings/headspace myself and the community was at when it came to social justice issues.
While writing, I realized that the song was bigger than me, I really felt the direction of the lyrics could really resonate with my community. With that in mind, it was imperative that I did my due diligence to ensure that if this song were to represent the voice of our community, I had to do so in an honest and genuine way. So I connected with the local organizers of the Solidarity March. I wanted to inform them of what I was doing and that I welcomed any criticism and feedback from them at any time. I added 2 black female songwriters to the team to ensure that the black female voices/vantage points were infused within the DNA of the song. Lastly, the songwriters and I reconnected with some of the organizers to get a sense of the vibe of the people. We asked questions about what inspired them to organize a local march, share some of their experiences talking with the community and what they felt the vibe of the community was before, during and after the march. We took all the information from this meeting and used it as a backdrop to complete the writing of the song.
Once the song was written I connected with artists within the black community to see if they would contribute their voices to the song. This is when I shifted the plan from only doing a version with only singers to doing another version of the song with hip hop artists. I received great feedback on the song and have lined up 30 + black artists to lend their voice (think "We Are the World") to R&B version of the song and I have 6 Hip Hop artists to contribute to the Hip Hop version.
The Goal
The goal of this project is to use the songs and music videos as tools to generate media buzz to then amplify the PSA and organizations that the proceeds will be donated to. The PSA is giving audiences the realness of what is going on and organizations are a simple way people can contribute to the ongoing fight.
Artist Involved
Singers
Waterloo Region Mass Choir
Rufus John
Carlos Morgan
Omar Lunan
Owen Sound
Selam Debs
Monique Clarke
Trishannah Gentles
Natasha John
Joni NehRita
Dean Bridgewater
Rese Vassell - Bowen
Sam Soga
Quisha Wint
Gyles
Toi
Elain Brown
McAuley Boys
Darwin Ceres
Patricia Shirley
Janice Jo Lee
Nefe
Londa Larmond
Tafari Anthony
Shani
Chad Price
Ashrose
Janisa
Yanick
Nicole Faye
Gabriella Rodgers
Tafari
Nichelle
Robert Ball
Claire Davis
Charlena Russell
Leila Dey
Laura Mae Lindo
Dwayne Morgan
Dshon
Hip Hop Artist
D.O
Dan-E-O
Rosie Monday
Scars
Jerelle Fisher
Meet The Team
Clarissa Charles (Marketing)
Gary McAuley (Vocal Producer)
Daren Hamilton (Choir Vocal Arranger/Producer)
Eric Jackson (Videography | Behind-the-scene footage)
Grace Ga (Music Video Director)
DNA Cinema (Videography & Editing | Music Videos)
Cedartree Studios (Recording Choir)
Revolution Recordings (Recording Singers)
Track House Studios (Recording Hip Hop Artist)
Projected Cost/ Funding, In-Kind, Investment & donations/ Outstanding Balance
Projected Cost: $19,000
---
Funding: $8,500 (Waterloo Arts Fund: $7,500 | Create & Connect: $1,000
In Kind: $2,000
Personal Investments: $4,500
Current Donation: $1,000.00
Total: $16,000
---
Outstanding Balance: $3,000 (Music Video & Marking/Promoting)
---
To date this is one of the most important pieces of work (musically) that I've invested in. So, with love I say thank you and I appreciate whatever kind of support you can provide to help offset the outstanding balance to this project.
If its not monetary then when the song is released I ask that you share with your friends/family on Social Media.
Rufus
---
Snippet of Song Demo
Please don't share the link to song, the general public hasn't heard it and would like to keep it that way until its release
Freedom Marching Song Lyrics
Vamp
No liberty and
Ain’t got no choice
You take my opinion
You wanna take my voice
Put it in the ground
Water it with pain
Seeds are growing
Now tethered by the shame
Tried to root us out
But we still remain
You’re getting worried now
Cause we’ve changed the game
Hook
We are freedom Marching
See the army risin’
And we won’t turn back now
Till the walls come tumbling down
Hear the thunder rumbling
There's a chariot coming
And we won’t give up now,
Till the walls come tumbling down
Verse
Everyday
The struggles real
Trying to survive
On this battle field
While on the ground
The bodies lay
Another hashtag gon’ fade away
I’m getting tired
Battered and bruised
You couldn’t walk a long mile in my shoes
But I won’t give up (this fight)
Pushing to the finish line
Hook
We are freedom Marching
See the army risin’
And we won’t turn back now
Till the walls come tumbling down
Hear the thunder rumbling
There's a chariot coming
And we won’t give up now,
Till the walls come tumbling down
Verse
The time is now
No need to wait
We out here dying
And you telling me to know my place
Tensions high
We’re standing strong
Black lives on the move
Bring it on
We ain't asking
We just gonna hold the line
No justice no peace
Save your lies
We are Kings and Queens
So you best take heed
If you don’t know my worth
Then you shall see
Hook
We are freedom Marching
See the army risin’
And we won’t turn back now
Till the walls come tumbling down
Hear the thunder rumbling
There's a chariot coming
And we won’t give up now,
Till the walls come tumbling down
Hook (choir)
We are freedom Marching
See the army risin’
And we won’t turn back now
Till the walls come tum bling down
Hear the thunder rumbling
There's a chariot coming
And we won’t give up now,
Till the walls come tumbling down
Tumbling Down (tumbling down)
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Till the walls start tumbling down
Tumbling Down (tumbling down)
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Till the walls start tumbling down
Bridge
If you see
Beyond my melanin
I am you
Just a different skin
Vamp
I love you
Brother your worth it
Sister your worth it
I am reaching out because I am working on a Social Justice project titled, Freedom Marching. I’ve been working on this project for about 8 months now and due to the importance of this project, majority of my free time is dedicated to seeing this through. I am passionate about this project and would love if you could take a moment to learn more about it, the inspiration behind it, the goal of the project, the artists involved, intro to my team, current funding bodies and your donations.
Freedom Marching Project
The Freedom Marching Project is a Publice Service Announcment (PSA) Commercial, 2 Song EP, 2 Music Videos & a Behind The Scene Docu-Series. All of which embodies the voice of the black community around Anti-Black Racism, Oppression, White Supremacy and a need for systemic change.
The PSA Commercial will speak on the current state of systemic racism and its impact to the community in areas such as: health & wellbeing, policing & criminal justice and Economics & Employment. The PSA will be narrated by a number of community members/activists/leaders, artists and athletes from around Ontario.
The 2 Song EP will feature the songs: Freedom Marching (R&B Version) & Freedom Marching (Hip Hop Version). Together both songs will feature over 30 Black Artist from around Ontario lending their voices to the cause. Some local artists involved are: Carlos Morgan, Laura Mae Lindo, The Waterloo Region Mass Choir, Nefe, Londa Larmond , Ashrose , Leila Dey, Dwayne Morgan D.O, Dan-E-O, Tobias and many more...
Early on in the projects creation a production company began capturing all the behind the scene moments. These clips will then be edited into a 3 to 4 episode Docu-Series that will be released on various social media platforms.
Upon completion of the audio recordings of the songs, I will be shooting music videos for each of them. My vision is to be as raw as I can to show the experience of our black communities. From the impacts these systems have on our black communities, to the resiliency, restraint, creativity, dedication and motivation our communities have to overcome these oppressive constructs and to the strength we have gained by saying enough is enough. Overall, the visuals will reflect the honesty and realness that are represented within the lyrics of each of the songs.
All proceeds from the project will be donated to a max of 3 initiatives/programs/ organizations/causes that are combating anti-black racism, oppression and discrimination within the current systems and communities. We are currently narrowing down where the proceeds will be going. As soon as we have narrowed them down, I will update this Go Fund Me with that information.
Inspiration behind the Project
Summer 2020 was a moment in time where the world stopped and I, like many, said enough is enough. The public banded together to become one voice with the black community, to speak on issues that have been disproportionately impacting our communities for decades/centuries.
On June 3rd, 2020 a number of activists and community organizers in the Waterloo Region came together to plot, plan, organize and mobilize against systemic racism and police brutality that have plagued communities within Waterloo Region and around the World. Through their alliance they organized the “Solidarity March”, which had an estimated 30,000 plus people in attendance.
https://www.kitchenertoday.com/local-news/thousands-descend-on-kitchener-core-for-solidarity-march-22-photos-2408216
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/kitchener-waterloo/k-w-solidarity-march-black-lives-matter-thousands-1.5597506
I attended the march and came to the realization that I only understood these issues on a surface level and needed to do more to educate myself on the issues that were presented at the march. I turned to books to equip myself with the information and sought out local activists and community elders when I needed guidance for understanding (still do to this day). As I continue to grow I am aware that I don’t have all the right terms down, I don’t know all the laws and ways the systems area rigged to oppress my people. I am just a regular guy who creates music, who is tired of witnessing and learning about the injustices my community faces/deals with on a daily basis. I am by no means an activist but I have taken a leap to use my art as a means of something I could bring to the table to add to the fight for social justice. Whatever art I submit will be a contribution, therefore, in no way, will I seek any kind of profit/proceeds generated from my work/ submission.
I started writing the song "Freedom Marching " late summer of 2020. I knew I wanted to the song to embody the thoughts/feelings/headspace myself and the community was at when it came to social justice issues.
While writing, I realized that the song was bigger than me, I really felt the direction of the lyrics could really resonate with my community. With that in mind, it was imperative that I did my due diligence to ensure that if this song were to represent the voice of our community, I had to do so in an honest and genuine way. So I connected with the local organizers of the Solidarity March. I wanted to inform them of what I was doing and that I welcomed any criticism and feedback from them at any time. I added 2 black female songwriters to the team to ensure that the black female voices/vantage points were infused within the DNA of the song. Lastly, the songwriters and I reconnected with some of the organizers to get a sense of the vibe of the people. We asked questions about what inspired them to organize a local march, share some of their experiences talking with the community and what they felt the vibe of the community was before, during and after the march. We took all the information from this meeting and used it as a backdrop to complete the writing of the song.
Once the song was written I connected with artists within the black community to see if they would contribute their voices to the song. This is when I shifted the plan from only doing a version with only singers to doing another version of the song with hip hop artists. I received great feedback on the song and have lined up 30 + black artists to lend their voice (think "We Are the World") to R&B version of the song and I have 6 Hip Hop artists to contribute to the Hip Hop version.
The Goal
The goal of this project is to use the songs and music videos as tools to generate media buzz to then amplify the PSA and organizations that the proceeds will be donated to. The PSA is giving audiences the realness of what is going on and organizations are a simple way people can contribute to the ongoing fight.
Artist Involved
Singers
Waterloo Region Mass Choir
Rufus John
Carlos Morgan
Omar Lunan
Owen Sound
Selam Debs
Monique Clarke
Trishannah Gentles
Natasha John
Joni NehRita
Dean Bridgewater
Rese Vassell - Bowen
Sam Soga
Quisha Wint
Gyles
Toi
Elain Brown
McAuley Boys
Darwin Ceres
Patricia Shirley
Janice Jo Lee
Nefe
Londa Larmond
Tafari Anthony
Shani
Chad Price
Ashrose
Janisa
Yanick
Nicole Faye
Gabriella Rodgers
Tafari
Nichelle
Robert Ball
Claire Davis
Charlena Russell
Leila Dey
Laura Mae Lindo
Dwayne Morgan
Dshon
Hip Hop Artist
D.O
Dan-E-O
Rosie Monday
Scars
Jerelle Fisher
Meet The Team
Clarissa Charles (Marketing)
Gary McAuley (Vocal Producer)
Daren Hamilton (Choir Vocal Arranger/Producer)
Eric Jackson (Videography | Behind-the-scene footage)
Grace Ga (Music Video Director)
DNA Cinema (Videography & Editing | Music Videos)
Cedartree Studios (Recording Choir)
Revolution Recordings (Recording Singers)
Track House Studios (Recording Hip Hop Artist)
Projected Cost/ Funding, In-Kind, Investment & donations/ Outstanding Balance
Projected Cost: $19,000
---
Funding: $8,500 (Waterloo Arts Fund: $7,500 | Create & Connect: $1,000
In Kind: $2,000
Personal Investments: $4,500
Current Donation: $1,000.00
Total: $16,000
---
Outstanding Balance: $3,000 (Music Video & Marking/Promoting)
---
To date this is one of the most important pieces of work (musically) that I've invested in. So, with love I say thank you and I appreciate whatever kind of support you can provide to help offset the outstanding balance to this project.
If its not monetary then when the song is released I ask that you share with your friends/family on Social Media.
Rufus
---
Snippet of Song Demo
Please don't share the link to song, the general public hasn't heard it and would like to keep it that way until its release
Freedom Marching Song Lyrics
Vamp
No liberty and
Ain’t got no choice
You take my opinion
You wanna take my voice
Put it in the ground
Water it with pain
Seeds are growing
Now tethered by the shame
Tried to root us out
But we still remain
You’re getting worried now
Cause we’ve changed the game
Hook
We are freedom Marching
See the army risin’
And we won’t turn back now
Till the walls come tumbling down
Hear the thunder rumbling
There's a chariot coming
And we won’t give up now,
Till the walls come tumbling down
Verse
Everyday
The struggles real
Trying to survive
On this battle field
While on the ground
The bodies lay
Another hashtag gon’ fade away
I’m getting tired
Battered and bruised
You couldn’t walk a long mile in my shoes
But I won’t give up (this fight)
Pushing to the finish line
Hook
We are freedom Marching
See the army risin’
And we won’t turn back now
Till the walls come tumbling down
Hear the thunder rumbling
There's a chariot coming
And we won’t give up now,
Till the walls come tumbling down
Verse
The time is now
No need to wait
We out here dying
And you telling me to know my place
Tensions high
We’re standing strong
Black lives on the move
Bring it on
We ain't asking
We just gonna hold the line
No justice no peace
Save your lies
We are Kings and Queens
So you best take heed
If you don’t know my worth
Then you shall see
Hook
We are freedom Marching
See the army risin’
And we won’t turn back now
Till the walls come tumbling down
Hear the thunder rumbling
There's a chariot coming
And we won’t give up now,
Till the walls come tumbling down
Hook (choir)
We are freedom Marching
See the army risin’
And we won’t turn back now
Till the walls come tum bling down
Hear the thunder rumbling
There's a chariot coming
And we won’t give up now,
Till the walls come tumbling down
Tumbling Down (tumbling down)
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Till the walls start tumbling down
Tumbling Down (tumbling down)
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Tumbling down (tumbling down)
Till the walls start tumbling down
Bridge
If you see
Beyond my melanin
I am you
Just a different skin
Vamp
I love you
Brother your worth it
Sister your worth it
Organizer
Rufus John
Organizer
Cambridge, ON