The annual music and dance festival features Chicago house, Afrobeats and hip hop. The festival is Saturday, August 17 at the Whittier Narrows at the Meadows in South El Monte.
Chicago has a unique music scene and vibe that features house music. Those vibes have found a place in Los Angeles, and SOULNIC in Los Angeles is a celebration of the music, dance, and culture that came from transplants who made their way out West from the Windy City.
In 2010, deejay Kendrick “Drack” Muse and three others from Chicago created the SOULNIC festival.
“We wanted to bring a little piece of home to L.A.,” he said.
The free picnic-type musical festival started out in Griffith Park, and now it has moved out to the Whitter Narrows at the Meadows in South El Monte on Saturday, August 17 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Headlining the event will be Deon Cole, KG Superstar, Kendrick “Drack” Muse, Tailwind Turner, Roxcizzle, Nico, Tortured Soul, and DJ Werdowithsoul.
Chicago house music is a unique blend of various types of musical genres that became popular in the 1980s.
“When it comes to house music, we’re big on soul,” Muse said. “That’s why we call it SOULNIC. Heavy on the vocals, disco, R&B influence. A lot of people who aren’t into house music, they kind of look at is as techno. Four on the floor, no vocals. But house is really heavy on the soul music.”
There is one element from Black music that connects Black music lovers from around the nation.
“Soul music is what connects us all, and I think that’s why L.A. has shown us so much love over the years,” Muse said. “That authenticity is universal through soul music.”
There has been strong Black Chicago community here in Los Angeles for several decades, with younger migrants coming for a specific industry.
“Entertainment has brought most of us here to L.A.,” Muse said. “Getting connected with each other is important. We gravitate to places where our music is being played. We like hip hop too, especially with everything that Common and Kanye has done.”
While the Chicago Black community in Los Angeles brings their culture to this festival, the majority of the crowd are Los Angeles residents who are either from here or from other places in the country. They attend SOULNIC for the Afrocentric culture and vibes.
“There would be no SOULNIC without L.A.,” Muse said. “We’re going to bring our vibe, but it’s always been inclusive. People just love the music, and it’s just different. Progressive music lovers are always searching for that unique vibe. Something that stands apart.”
SOULNIC will have food trucks, and people can bring their own food, blanket, and tents. There will be a children’s areas that will have tug-a-war, potato sack races, and other games.
To register for this free event and to participate in Chicago culture year round in Los Angeles, visit www.soulnic.tv and follow SOULNIC on social media. Follow deejay Kendrick “Drack” Muse on Instagram
