hello everyone! out of my compassion for the victims of violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, i've begun a charity dubbed "DJs for DRC". please read the press release below. if you are a DJ and want to get involved, please email
djs4drc@jayhaze.com. anyone else can make a direct contribution by visiting
Merlin. please spread the word!
much love
h a z e
Just after reputable club/label powerhouse Fabric announced Jay Haze’s entry into their
mix CD series, Jay Haze is revealing his plans for an extensive DJ tour around the world,
with proceeds going toward relief efforts in the war-torn Democratic Republic of the
Congo.
Jay Haze, the DJ/producer behind the house and techno labels TuningSpork and
Contexterrior, has had a lasting relationship with Fabric, playing there on a regular basis.
When the London-based nightclub asked him to provide the next installment of their mix
series, he was eager to take part, but even more so to use the exposure to generate
awareness for a bigger cause: confronting the ongoing political and social turmoil in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Continuing the country’s history of instability and wars, and despite a peace agreement in
2006, the DRC’s east remains overwhelmed by rebel fighting, sexual violence, starvation
and disease. Jay will donate 100% of his profits from the Fabric CD sales to Merlin, an
organization providing relief in the DRC and in other conflicted countries. Not only that –
Jay will also donate 50% of all his DJ fees from September through the end of 2009
toward other groups who provide health care, medicine, treatment for rape victims and
access to clean water for the country’s citizens.
Furthermore, Jay has recruited his DJ buddies to join the cause, asking them to donate
half their DJ fee from any one of their gigs this year toward the Democratic Republic of the
Congo. Loco Dice, DJ Sneak and Tiga have already agreed, and Jay’s goal is to increase
the list exponentially. Jay believes that DJs are blessed to be able to travel the world
playing the music they love, and they can make a small sacrifice like this to make a
collective difference in the world.
While Jay would be very glad if you pick up the mix CD, his main point in this project is
raising awareness of the conflict in the DRC. He urges everyone to educate themselves on
this important matter – as well as other issues underrepresented by the mainstream
media – and to get involved. Jay wants to bring consciousness into the global electronic
music scene, to prove that the nightlife industry can be about social justice as much as
artistic expression and hedonism.