(WASHINGTON, DC) - The Office of Unified Communications (OUC) and the DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) are excited to announce the integration of the official music of Washington, DC, Go-Go, into the 311 caller experience. DC311 delivers a one-stop service experience for residents and visitors searching for city services and information, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Now, when 311 callers navigate the service request system to request services such as trash removal, pothole repair, bulk pick-ups, they will hear Go-Go selections written, produced, and performed by the first cohort of DPR’s Crank Music Program.
DPR’s Crank Music Program gives DC youth hands-on experience learning music production, performance, and management of DC’s native music genre, Go-Go. The 6 members of the first cohort, along with their mentors met daily over the past year to craft a full EP album, and have had two live performances.
“Through the support of Mayor Bowser, programs like this change the narrative and the landscape of opportunities for our young people, which begins to spread positively throughout the community,” said DPR Director Delano Hunter. “This program is a way to redirect energy and crank out a new beat of hope.”
“We are thrilled to integrate Washington DC’s official music, written and performed by our city’s incredibly gifted young people, into the 311 experience. It is the perfect way to incorporate the sound of DC within the heart of city services” said Interim Director Karima Holmes.
As DC311 receives approximately 1.8 million calls per year, this partnership will help these talented musicians reach a wider audience. It will also make more visible the District’s innovative youth programming aimed at positive engagement, personal and professional development and skill building, and increasing sense of purpose.
Just in time for the holiday season, the first song integration will be Crank’s “Making a Go-Go Holiday” featuring Cameron "Belair" Hendricks, Jalen Michaels, and Taj Pratt. This holiday project also features new music from Sugar Bear of EU, Da One Band, Pure Elegance, Shorty Corleone, Marcus Johnson, Crank + Flo, and more. DC311 will continue to partner with DPR’s Crank Music Program beyond the holiday season, and callers will be able to experience other original songs.
For more info on 311, please visit ouc.dc.gov.
Click here to learn more about the Crank Music Program.