Metrocenter YMCA 2012

In the summer of 2012 we brought our mobile recording studio back to the Metrocenter YMCA for another work training program in partnership with the Juvenile Rehabilitation Program and YouthSource.

“The resistance of your existence of your appearance is disappearing because we all stuck in fear,” explains Tré “A$htre” Garrett in the group’s stand-out collaborative track “Money and Soul.” Brandi Crockett continues, “They want to strip us of our culture and humanity / They’re always trying to take away all of our sanity.” Jacob Moreno sums it all up in the hook, “They want to keep us in the hood / They want us in the dirt / We at war with the Feds / So stack up on that heat / I’m talking about that knowledge cause they hungry for the power / Keep your money and your soul / Your money and your soul.”

At the end of the summer program Totem Star received news that we were selected by the City of Seattle, the Office of Film + Music, and One Reel as a featured youth-serving organization at Bumbershoot 2012 “in an effort to raise awareness on the positive impact they’ve had on our music community.” KOMO Newsradio visited our table at the festival and invited the youth for an in-studio interview, which broadcasted to thousands of listeners. Listen to the interview featuring Gilford “Yung Gilly” Smith here.