Vockah Redu's stage gear stolen in NOLA!

Our tour vehicle got robbed, and I lost my beat machine, theremin and stage case!

We've been in New Orleans recording footage all week and performing, and returned to our vehicle last night to find we'd been robbed!   My stage case, containing everything I use onstage, was stolen.  Until it's replaced, I won't be able to give the show you've been seeing, much less develop the new routines.  

During last year's Epic Beard Men tour, I purchased a new SP-404A which I'd begun using onstage, in addition to my Moog Theremini.  Both are now gone, and I feel like they stole my heartbeat.

We're in NOLA filming in order to launch a Patreon a few months from now, but the circumstance has caused us to open up this GoFundMe and that page a little early.

More positive updates coming soon, but hopefully this is just a sign from New Orleans that it's time for me to create the New. 

Peace and Love.  Thank you for your support!

My Story: 
========

Vockah Redu was born in New Orleans, and grew up in the legendary Magnolia Housing Development.   His intensity for music and dance started at an early age.   An energetic, talented youth, he would often lead spontaneous parades through the 3rd ward streets.  He notoriously took over the mic at his kindergarten graduation, and became known through the neighborhood for spontaneous shows and DJ parties after carnivals.  He attended the same school as Young Turk, and grew up rapping with Juvenile in his local neighborhood.  By middle school, Vockah was the designated hype man for bounce parties throughout New Orleans, including those thrown by Cash Money Records, who released his early recordings through their C2K/Hype Enough imprint. 

While hip-hop artists from New Orleans were adapting styles from Bounce, within New Orleans the music continued to grow and develop.  Free of hip-hop's often homophobic influence, Bounce fans embraced Vockah Redu's brilliance onstage and the relentless energy of his music and dance.  His music also provided an outlet for a new generation of twerkers to express themselves through Bounce.  As he fondly notes, "I probably had your mama pussy poppin' in her 20s." 

When Vockah Redu & the Cru released "Vockduismz" in 1996, it came with a joint called "Avenue Anthem" that set New Orleans on fire with a hypersonic tempo and ultra-hype vocal style. Another single called "Pump It Up" followed in 98, earning constant airplay at block parties and clubs throughout the city. In '99, station WQUE-FM took notice, playing "Bout It Whoa" for the first time on New Orleans radio, announcing Vockah's arrival as a presence in Bounce.  The influence of the album's next single, however, would transform the genre forever.

"Roll Call" is a song produced by Damon Washington and Vockah Redu, released in 1999, whose instrumental and vocal has been sampled constantly since it dropped.  The song's instrumental has been used by so many performers and producers, it's often referred to simply as "The Beat".  The song's familiar kick rhythm and seagull sounds, 808 snare rolls, and even Vockah's signature "GOTT! GOTT! GOTT!" are familiar in New Orleans and around the world, wherever Bounce is heard.  Unfortunately, publishing was never correctly administered for the song, and it's ownership remains in dispute.  

As Vockah's influence grew and his shows packed weekly events, he would inspire a new generation of Bounce emcees.  Artists like Kady Red, Big Freedia, and Sissy Nobby would follow.  Vockah continues to develop new music and tour the world, presenting an other-worldly experience in music and culture wherever he goes.  Bounce, hip-hop, spoken word and high energy choreography combine to make Vockah's show an undeniable force.

Through crowdsourcing, we're asking fans and supporters to boost the visibility and development of a truly unique artist.  In the coming year, Vockah aims to release new music and realize a new live show that is ready to tour the world.  Recording studios, dancers, stage gear and personelle all require financial backing and work.  Vockah is excited to give his supporters a chance to enable his work on the road and in the studio! 

Thank you for your love and support!