Two months ago, Miami Beach cops tasered a kid to death over graffiti. And today, Miami and his family are still seeking Justice for Reefa.
From October 3 to 5 at LMNT, local skaters, dancers, artists, and DJs will come together to celebrate Israel Hernandez's life, raise money for his family to confront D.C. lawmakers, and promote positivity in the community.
These three days of programming will culminate with the 20th-anniversary performance of Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, the pioneering album by hip-hop icons Fatlip, SlimKid3, J-Swift, and L.A. Jay.
Event producer Anna Robbins of 222Worldwide put it all together. Here's what she has to say.
See also: The Pharcyde's Slimkid3 Explains Every Track From Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
"I'm from California, but I moved to Miami about ten years ago," Robbins tells Crossfade. "I was in the music industry working with The Roots, and Erykah Badu, those artists are actually friends of mine. I brought a lot of them down as a ghost-booker for Bardot, but I'm doing my own thing now.
"I felt like Pharcyde would be good for Wynwood and the arts community because of their history and the whole projection show they do, and when I started telling people about it, everybody jumped on board.
"We were looking for something or someone to dedicate or benefit with the event and someone mentioned the #JusticeForReefa movement. He was close to my friend's daughter, so we got with the family and decided we wanted to dedicate the whole show to him. Some of the proceeds will go to the Reefa family foundation."
#JusticeForReefa Benefit ScheduleThursday, October 3 #JusticeForReefa Gallery Opening. 6 p.m. Curated by Enrique "Sero" Cruz. Featuring work from Israel "Reefa" Hernandez, Abstrk, Abuse, Atomik, Astre, Bernari Kamau, Bulk, C-Dog, Chy, Delvis, Elex, Five, GG, Juan Rozas, Lola Blu, Quake, Rage, Rey "Rson" Jaffet, Threat, and 131.
Friday, October 4. Bum Rush the Spot. 7 p.m. A mini-ramp demo and video premiere, presented by IamYourVillain & Casey Zap, hosted by MIA Skate Shop -- plus 6th Street Dance Studio presents TruSchool with sounds by Sno White & Keen One.
Saturday, October 5. The Pharcyde performing Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde live. 4 p.m. Hosted by Monie Love, presented by 222 Worldwide, with sets by ArtOfficial, The Politix, Marcus Blake & the 3rd Party, King Most, Ynot, Rudeboy Sven, Affect, Methods, and Heron.
"LMNT has an art gallery that's going to be entirely curated in his honor and will be displaying up to 50 pieces of his work, and 20 pieces by other local writers and graffiti artists.
"There is also going to be a mass mobilization on Miami Beach on October 6, demanding justice for Israel Hernandez.
"It kind of went backwards from initially programming to following what Reefa's passions were. And it came together very last minute.
"But to see the creative community come together is exciting and shows that the community needs these type of events. There's a need for that classic old-school sound alongside visual artists, writers, skaters, and dancers."
#JusticeForReefa Benefit Weekend. Thursday, October 3, to Saturday, October 5. LMNT, 55 NW 36th St., Miami. Admission is free on Thursday and Friday, but tickets cost $20 for Saturday's concert via 222worldwide.eventbrite.com or $30 at the door. Visit 222worldwide.com.
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