African American Composers Series: Ras_G

The William Grant Still Arts Center Presents

16th Annual African American Composer Series

Back On The Planet: The Spacebase Archives of Ras_G and the Afrikan Space Program

March 30 – June 15, 2024

Opening Reception: March 30, 3pm – 6pm

Curated by Nita Pettus and Amitis Motevalli

From the Ras_G Foundation archives managed by Ron Stivers

Los Angeles (February 28, 2024) – “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.

Born Gregory Shorter, Ras_G was born and raised in Los Angeles and began his career as a local DJ. He was a sonic archivist and librarian of all sorts but he began to collect records and became a regular at 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 as well as artists Madlib, Jay Dee, the Beatminerz, John & Alice Coltrane and one of his biggest influences, Sun Ra. Through rigorous work and engagement in a vibrant club scene, he became one of the most prominent artists in LA’s Brainfeeder label, and became one of the architects of the contemporary Los Angeles beat scene.

This exhibition will feature installations inspired by his home studio which he called, “Spacebase.” The show will feature close to 5000 records from his massive record wall, items from his workstation, beat machines and equipment, the books he read, the films he watched, and the clothes he wore. Through this exhibition we want to canonize Ras_G as a composer on the path towards international legend status, who was cut short in his prime. Although many local musical, visual, and performing artists had opportunities to engage and collaborate creatively with _G (as he was affectionately called), the exhibition will be an experience for those who have never had the opportunity to visit Spacebase. We also cater to his beloveds with a sense of belonging, to feel his light beaming right back on the planet as if _G never left.

An opening reception for the African American Composers Series will start off the celebration of Ras_G on March 30, from 3 – 6 pm with silkscreen artists Hit + Run making donation-based t-shirts and performances organized by Ron Stivers featuring Kahil Saadiq, Jimetta Rose, Linafornia and AshTreJenkins. The Annual African American Composers’ Series

Now in its sixteenth year, the exhibition series celebrates the life and work of African-American composers each spring. Combining community archives with original artwork and music education, past exhibitions in the series have included Bullerengue & Beyond: Learning the Palenques of the South East Caribbean Through Sound (2023), Quadraphonic (2022), Prayer/Protest/Peace: 13 Years of African American Composers (2021), The Life and Sounds of Willie Bobo (2020), Music is Art, Music is Philosophy, Music is History: The Legacy of Dr. William Grant Still (2019), How the West Got Funked Up (2018), Nearly Gone Gal: The Rescued Archives of Nellie Lutcher (2017), So What! The Artistry of Miles Davis (2016), Duke Ellington, Love You Madly (2015), I Got My Pride: The BluesTales of Leadbelly (2014), Arkestry of the Cosmos: The Universe Language of Sun Ra (2013), Deeds Not Words: The Life and Work of Max Roach and Abbey Lincoln (2012), A New Day: Nina Simone (2011), and The High Priest of Bop: The Jazz Odyssey of Thelonious Monk (2010).

The William Grant Still Arts Center focuses on teaching music and cultural history to beginning and intermediate students of all ages through practice and playing experience via the works of groundbreaking musical innovators in the tradition of the Arts Center’s namesake, Dr. William Grant Still.

Back On The Planet: The Spacebase Archives of Ras_G and the Afrikan Space Program

PROGRAM EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Exhibition Dates: March 30 – June 15, 2024

Opening Reception/Concert: Free Event

Opening Reception:

March 30, 2024 3 – 6 pm

With performances by Kahil Saadiq, Linafornia & AshTreJenkins

Donation-based screen printing by Hit + Run

Programs:

Beat Master Class with producers Dakim and Dibiase (dates TBA)

Classes begin:

April 2 – May 11, 2024