Derek Vincent Smith aka Pretty Lights, has been spending time with the New Orleans based nonprofit Upbeat Academy to teach how to get involved in the music industry for both Hip-Hop and electronic dance music.
He has been quoted as saying,
“I believe it is my responsibility now to find ways to turn my music into something that will hopefully benefit not only the people who experience it, but people who will never have the opportunity to.”
Smith loves Upbeat Academy because he loves that they go into the communities of New Orleans and invites at-risk youth to discover their passions and talents that have to do with the music community and the joys of music. It introduces how to produce music as well as what the business aspect of the industry is like.
If you wish to donate to Upbeat Academy, head here. You can also head to Electric Family to buy Pretty Lights’ bracelet, where he will donate $2 to Upbeat Academy on every dollar spent on the bracelets.
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