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The William Grant Still Arts Center presents “Back on the Planet: The Spacebase Archive of Ras G”

Step into the creative home base of one of the visionary architects of the Los Angeles beat scene.
Last week, the William Grant Stills Arts Center opened its 16th annual African-American Composers Series with an exhibition dedicated to Ras_G, the beloved Afrofuturist beat producer and Brainfeeder artist who passed away unexpectedly back in 2019. Curated by Nina Pettus and Amitis Motevalli, “Back on the Planet: The Spacebase Archive of Ras_G & The Afrikan Space Program” features installations that allow visitors to step into Ras G’s iconic home studio featuring close to 5,000 records, beat machines, and personal items that fueled his creativity. The exhibition will run from March 30th – June 15th.
Born in South Central, Gregory Shorter aka Ras_G began his career as a local DJ in Leimert Park. A sonic archivist and librarian of sorts, Shorter was a regular fixture at record shops across Los Angeles including Aron’s Records, Amoeba, and Poobah Record Shop, where he co-founded the independent record label, Poobah Records. In the early 2000’s he began making music after being inspired by the sounds in his community along with Madlib, J Dilla, the Beatminerz, John & Alice Coltrane, and one of his biggest influences Sun Ra, who directly inpired his “ghetto sci-fi” philosophy. Shorter would go on to work with LA institutions such as Brainfeeder, Leaving Records, dublab, and Stones Throw.
“One of the founding members of Brainfeeder and one of the most important figures in the Los Angeles beat scene.”
Flying Lotus
From the William Grant Still Arts Center: “‘Back On The Planet: The Spacebase Archives of Ras_G and the Afrikan Space Program’ is a look into the archives of Ras_G, the creator and universal being, through items gathered by family and friends documenting his short life on planet earth. The exhibition will include the spirit of the late Ras_G through his vast collection of records, music equipment, noise makers, gadgets, art, books, films and wardrobe. We look at not only the artists who inspired Ras_G but also his influence on the sonic scene of Los Angeles and beyond. Along with the exhibition, the William Grant Still Arts Center will offer an educational program, focusing on teaching art and music through the work of Ras_G.”
Listen to a mix celebrating Ras G Day from Roland, Poobah Records & dublab: https://www.dublab.com/archive/roland-poobah-records-dublab-present-ras-g-day-04-04-23
