50th Anniversary of WKDU!
Welcome to the 50th Anniversary of WKDU!
July 17th, 2021 will mark the 50th anniversary of Drexel University’s free format, non-commercial radio WKDU Philadelphia 91.7 FM. On that day, WKDU began broadcasting at just 10 watts on the FM dial from high atop Van Rensselaer Hall. Throughout its existence, the student-operated radio station has remained a prominent source of diverse programming that seeks to provide a platform to artists and community members that would otherwise be left unheard. Now we broadcast at 800 watts!
The station’s longevity and the continued growth of our community has ultimately depended on the knowledge and experience passed down from one generation of students to the next. For decades, WKDU student staff members have drawn from the experience of their predecessors while incorporating their own visionary take on college radio. To celebrate this landmark milestone of the experience that WKDU has provided us all, we will honor current and past WKDU DJs for our 50th birthday celebration and raise funds for a significant technological infrastructure upgrade that will ensure 50 more years of the WKDU experience.
Important Dates
Saturday, July 10th: Fundraiser kick-off!
Sunday, July 11th: The Black Experience in Music (all day programming)
Monday, July 12th: Zine Reissue Release!
Tuesday, July 13th: Compilation Album Release!
Wednesday, July 14th: Merch Release!
Thursday, July 15th through Saturday, July 17th: On-Air Alumni Marathon
Saturday, July 17th (our actual birthday!): Outdoor Bash @ Drexel Park from 2-8PM
We'll have archival displays of old posters and flyers, blasting WKDU on the speakers, a meet & greet with plenty of past and present WKDU DJs, and more! Open to all past/present WKDU members AND listeners!
SERATO - Mental Health with Dr. Monica Campbell
Mental Health with Dr. Monica Campbell
It’s important to check in with each other about what everyone’s feeling. Like physical health, exercising mental health is important for keeping ourselves clear and close to friends and family, now more than ever.
Our Artist Relations Manager OP Miller spoke to a dear friend of his, Dr. Monica Campbell. Dr. Campbell has had 15 years of experience in mental health therapy, and we thought it would be good to hear from her about ways we can stay mentally healthy, and be there for each other.
NOSTALGIA KING - DJ JUNIOR AT HOME – CREATIVE ISOLATION
They say that you shouldn’t go into business with family members or friends because at the slightest wrong turn, your business dealings could swerve off of the cliff and your friendship with it. Although statistically correct, that’s not the case with my next guest in the At Home – Creative Isolation series who I’ve worked with on a number of projects and have built a strong foundation with not only as friends but as brothers. Maybe it’s because we see eye to eye on so many things or because we’re both workaholics who wear multiple hats so the birds of a feather rule applies. Regardless of what it is, there’s no denying that Philly’s DJ Junior of Record Breakin’ Music and Eaves Drop Radio, husband, father and Professor (oh I’m sorry, Doctor) has a full plate that he has to organize on a daily basis so how does he do it all? Well let’s find out since he took time out of his busy schedule to sit down and chat with us during the world wide pandemic.
Check the full interview HERE
Motown on Mondays Philadelphia is BACK!
London Excursions (March 2019)
We are pleased to announce that our own DJ Junior will be exploring London, UK 🇬🇧. During that time he will be doing some lectures and playing tunes at a few gigs that we are really excited about. Check the details provided & follow his excursions @recordbreakin We look forward to seeing.
Franklin Armstrong's first appearance on the iconic comic strip "Peanuts." Franklin would be 50 years old this year
On July 31, 1968, a young, black man was reading the newspaper when he saw something that he had never seen before. With tears in his eyes, he started running and screaming throughout the house, calling for his mom. He would show his mom, and, she would gasp, seeing something she thought she would never see in her lifetime. Throughout the nation, there were similar reactions.
What they saw was Franklin Armstrong's first appearance on the iconic comic strip "Peanuts." Franklin would be 50 years old this year.
Franklin was "born" after a school teacher, Harriet Glickman, had written a letter to creator Charles M. Schulz after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot to death outside his Memphis hotel room.
Glickman, who had kids of her own and having worked with kids, was especially aware of the power of comics among the young. “And my feeling at the time was that I realized that black kids and white kids never saw themselves [depicted] together in the classroom,” she would say.
She would write, “Since the death of Martin Luther King, 'I’ve been asking myself what I can do to help change those conditions in our society which led to the assassination and which contribute to the vast sea of misunderstanding, hate, fear and violence.'”
Glickman asked Schulz if he could consider adding a black character to his popular comic strip, which she hoped would bring the country together and show people of color that they are not excluded from American society.
She had written to others as well, but the others feared it was too soon, that it may be costly to their careers, that the syndicate would drop them if they dared do something like that.
Charles Schulz did not have to respond to her letter, he could have just completely ignored it, and everyone would have forgotten about it. But, Schulz did take the time to respond, saying he was intrigued with the idea, but wasn't sure whether it would be right, coming from him, he didn't want to make matters worse, he felt that it may sound condescending to people of color.
Glickman did not give up, and continued communicating with Schulz, with Schulz surprisingly responding each time. She would even have black friends write to Schulz and explain to him what it would mean to them and gave him some suggestions on how to introduce such a character without offending anyone. This conversation would continue until one day, Schulz would tell Glickman to check her newspaper on July 31, 1968.
On that date, the cartoon, as created by Schulz, shows Charlie Brown meeting a new character, named Franklin. Other than his color, Franklin was just an ordinary kid who befriends and helps Charlie Brown. Franklin also mentions that his father was "over at Vietnam." At the end of the series, which lasted three strips, Charlie invites Franklin to spend the night one day so they can continue their friendship. [The original comic strip of Charlie Brown meeting Franklin is attached in the initial comments below, the picture attached here is Franklin meeting the rest of the Peanuts, including Linus. I just thought this was a good re-introduction of Franklin to the rest of the world - "I'm very glad to know you."
There was no big announcement, there was no big deal, it was just a natural conversation between two kids, whose obvious differences did not matter to them. And, the fact that Franklin's father was fighting for this country was also a very strong statement by Schulz.
Although Schulz never made a big deal over the inclusion of Franklin, there were many fans, especially in the South, who were very upset by it and that made national news. One Southern editor even said, “I don’t mind you having a black character, but please don’t show them in school together.”
It would eventually lead to a conversation between Schulz and the president of the comic's distribution company, who was concerned about the introduction of Franklin and how it might affect Schulz' popularity. Many newspapers during that time had threatened to cut the strip.
Schulz' response: "I remember telling Larry at the time about Franklin -- he wanted me to change it, and we talked about it for a long while on the phone, and I finally sighed and said, "Well, Larry, let's put it this way: Either you print it just the way I draw it or I quit. How's that?"
Eventually, Franklin became a regular character in the comic strips, and, despite complaints, Franklin would be shown sitting in front of Peppermint Patty at school and playing center field on her baseball team.
More recently, Franklin is brought up on social media around Thanksgiving time, when the animated 1973 special "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving" appears. Some people have blamed Schulz for showing Franklin sitting alone on the Thanksgiving table, while the other characters sit across him. But, Schulz did not have the same control over the animated cartoon on a television network that he did on his own comic strip in the newspapers.
But, he did have control over his own comic strip, and, he courageously decided to make a statement because of one brave school teacher who decided to ask a simple question.
Glickman would explain later that her parents were "concerned about others, and the values that they instilled in us about caring for and appreciating everyone of all colors and backgrounds — this is what we knew when we were growing up, that you cared about other people . . . And so, during the years, we were very aware of the issues of racism and civil rights in this country [when] black people had to sit at the back of the bus, black people couldn’t sit in the same seats in the restaurants that you could sit . . . Every day I would see, or read, about black children trying to get into school and seeing crowds of white people standing around spitting at them or yelling at them . . . and the beatings and the dogs and the hosings and the courage of so many people in that time."
Because of Glickman, because of Schulz, people around the world were introduced to a little boy named Franklin.
Look Out 4 The Cook Out: Day Party + BBQ Fundraiser for John Morrison
THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND --> YOU'RE INVITED to a DAY PARTY x COOKOUT FUNDRAISER for our brother + friend John Morrison at The Sankofa House.
**SCROLL DOWN for DETAILS**
THE STORY:
As some of you may now, our favorite DJ, producer, rapper, and all around audiophile, John Morrison was hospitalized for over a month at HUP due to a viral infection that led to other complications. After being discharged from the hospital, John spent another month in physical therapy where he learned to regain control and strength in his lower extremities. Today Johns is worlds better than he was a few months ago when he was first hospitalized, but he still has a little way to go.
Considering that John works as a DJ and musician, he has not been able to earn money through these means. He has continued to write, but between managing his illness and relearning how to walk it has been difficult for him to do it at a consistent rate. Although John has been receiving tons of support from friends and family, staying up on bills and necessities have proved to be a bit of a challenge.
In order to celebrate John's vitality, we ask that you come and party with us. We are looking to raise funds for John so that he can keep up with bills and expenses.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
Some of Philly's finest -- SPINNIN' ALL DAY!
DJs:
Aura (Sofistifunk)
Blaak the Ninth Man
Corey Duncan
Hoove
Max (Brewerytown Beats)
Oskar Castro
Papo
Rashid Zakat
+ friends!
EATS + DRINKS:
Drinks **for a donation**
Food: We'll be BBQing all afternoon **vegetarian options available** As you're able, feel free to BYO-Side Dish / Dessert to share!
TICKETS:
$5-$10 **or as much $$love as you wanna share**
CASH ONLY
This event is co-produced by:
DuiJi Mshinda of Vinyl Tap 215 / Sofistifunk
Sarah Mueller of cineSPEAK : alternative cinema
**We are proud to produce this event to honor our friend**
#PhillyLove
OUTTA TOWN x CAN'T ATTEND? CONTRIBUTE $$LOVE via our GoFundMe campaign
TONE B. NIMBLE - Soul is My Salvation Vol. 2 - release party recap
Saturday, July 22, 2017 down at 606 Records (Chicago) we had a release party for Tone B. Nimble's latest mixpate, Soul is My Salvation Vol. 2 on Record Breakin' Music. It is an ALL VINYL 90 minute gospel oriented mix of disco, funk, and soul. Limited Edition cassette only 200 copies.
From garage sales, to dollar bins, from flea markets to record fairs Tone B. Nimble has returned with the second installment of Soul Is My Salvation. A series dedicated to the Disco sounds of the church. Initially introduced as an online stream; we’ve thrown time back. You’ll need an old-school cassette player boom-box to hear this set, released exclusively on a limited-edition cassette via Record Breakin' Music.
Consisting of two 45 minute programs; side A focuses on midtempo modern soul grooves, while side B is more upbeat and consists of soul, funk, disco, and even house grooves. For the purest out there, Tone records this mix in one take; using all vinyl on a rotary mixer....Amen.
So, when you’re seeking some uplifting dance floor jams Soul Is My Salvation Vol. 2 is your must-have!!!
#SoulisMySalvation
...peep the recap below
Skeme Richards - New Library Sounds - Release Party Recap
Saturday, July 15, 2017 down at Brewerytown Beats we had a release party for Skeme Richards latest mixpate, New Library Sounds on Record Breakin' Music. It is an ALL VINYL 60 minute mix of new sound library vibes. Limited Edition cassette only 200 copies.
"My latest project, New Library Sounds is a collection of works from many of today’s artists who are creating cinematic masterpieces without a script or featured actors but doing so by imagination and what feels right. What you are about to hear is just that, a cinematic expression that feels as though it should be a score to a film, one that’s filled with action and adventure, love and drama, hope and despair yet genre less at the same time. It’s a journey into the unknown but charting into familiar territory that places you in the center screen."
- Skeme Richards (The Nostalgia King) #NewLibrarySounds
...peep the recap below
Still photos from Jen Strickland Photography
Record Breakin' Music presents LONDON EXCURSIONS
We are pleased to announce that our own DJ Junior will be exploring London, UK for a week in March. During that time he will be playing tunes at a few gigs that we are really excited about. Check the details provided and follow his excursions on Instagram @recordbreakin
Record Breakin' Music Favorite Releases of 2016
OK, OK, lets just admit it...YES, 2016 was an interesting year on so many levels. Some good, some bad. I have always found music as a refuge and inspiration. I got such a great response from my 2015 list that I decided to try and put a small list together this year. Well, so much for that. As I took time to really reflect on the year I realized that there has been some amazing music that was released in 2016. Similar to last year, I took a look at the releases I have bought (my wife will tell you about my addiction to buying music, especially physical releases) and the ones that were sent to me. (Now is probably a good time to say THANK YOU to all the labels and artist that have sent me promos. It is MUCH APPRECIATED but does not influence if they made the list or not. Good music is good music.)
Anyway, if you listen to my weekly radio show Eavesdrop Radio [Fridays on 91.7FM from 6-9PM (EST)] that I co-host with lil' dave this list isn't really a surprise. This list is in no particular order but does reflect releases I went back to over and over throughout the year. It's great that so many of these releases came out on vinyl and some even on cassette. I encourage you to click on the artwork to find out more about these projects and support their music.
I wish you all the best for the New Year and look forward to hearing more amazing music in 2017. I know Record Breakin' Music has some tricks up their sleeves as we get ready to celebrate our 10 year anniversary. Thank you to the entire artists on this list and the labels for releasing music that has been our soundtrack for the year and years to come!
SOIA - "ROAMING DEER" (VIDEO TEASER)
TEASER for "Roaming Deer" from the new album H.I.O.P. out on RECORD BREAKIN'
ORDER: https://recordbreakin.bandcamp.com/al...
www.recordbreakin.com
www.facebook.com/recordbreakinmusic
www.soundcloud.com/recordbreakin
www.instagram.com/recordbreakin
www.twitter.com/recordbreakin
©Soia 2016
www.soia.at
www.facebook.com/soia8
www.soundcloud.com/soia_music
www.instagram.com/soia_music
Soia - "Hidden in Obvious Place (H.I.O.P.)" (video teaser)
TEASER for Soia's "Hidden in obvious places" from the new album H.I.O.P. coming out on RECORD BREAKIN' on october 21st 2016!
www.recordbreakin.com
PRE-ORDER : https://recordbreakin.bandcamp.com/al...
©Soia 2016
www.soia.at
www.facebook.com/soia8
www.soundcloud.com/soia_music
www.instagram.com/soia_music
produced by MEZ
www.facebook.com/MezBeatsss#
co-produced by Cesar Sampson
mastered by Patrick "Tricky" Kummeneker (mixedbytricky.com)
directed and animated by nita. (www.studionita.at)
video and edit by simp
Dresses by LILA (www.lila.cx)
video premiering via "The gap" on october 18th!
Pat Van Dyke - Let the Horns Blow (EP)
Pat Van Dyke - Let the Horns Blow (EP)
Limited Edition 7" vinyl and Digital
If we could calculate the damage done by human civilization in the name of progress or culture, it would probably be done in a way that would affirm our past and trajectory. The dystopian narrative that we ghost wrote through political mouthpieces would by polished up into shiny abstractions. Lost would be the blemishes and punch drunk love with profit and power dances.
But the music doesn’t lie. Music. The music that spans generations and casts longer shadows past the labels and trends, always tells the truth. The people who listen to the music as the hills hear cloud movement – who hear the music as the Earth listens to languages – for them…the music tells the real story. They aren’t lost in rhetoric and false dialogue. Beats and keys and horns and breaks and FUNK. Therein lies the truth. This is the true culture of human civilization. The language of progress is in the progression of chords and formulas of harmony.
The conductors of these manifestations of harmonious truths should be looked upon with reverence for their contributions. Truth speakers that are heard in dimly lit bars and brightly lit gatherings of audiophiles that understand their tongue are the mark of human accomplishment.
Enter Pat Van Dyke. Composer. Arranger. Producer. Prophet for the culture we call Music. This isn’t sound philosophy, this is a testament to human civilization. It’s not just FUNK. It’s a declaration of sovereignty in individual instrumentation funneled into 4 tracks of afro-beat; down, curve and right back up of the U in the FUNK. Writing and playing keys, drums, bass, guitar and percussion…the outcome was obvious – conquer from every angle. In fact, the only other players in this testimony of our times were Peter Lin (trombone), Richard Polatchek (trumpet), Bryan Beninghove (Tenor / Baritone Sax)…and though they were the horns in Let The Horns Blow, it was in the mind of Pat that these parts were born. In a departure from what we have come to expect from PVD over the course of his past few declarations on wax, less keyboard and synth are found between the grooves of his latest truth. Yet, the vibe still exists. The essence and nuance that we listen for is there. Whether written on keys, or as in the case of LTHB, on guitar…it’s absolutely the sound to counter the misleading representations of who we are as a musical culture. All stories begin somewhere and this one was composed, recorded and mixed in Jersey City, NJ with stereo mastering by Alessandro Perrotta (AVP Audio Engineering). Where you take it is anyone’s guess. What’s important is the story being told and shared. Because this is our culture and only we can keep the light aflame.
Eric SAESO Alvarez
www.thekithenmix.com
Arcadia professor displays passion for education and music - The Philadelphia Tribune
Louis Bolling Tribune correspondent | May 26, 2016
Bruce Campbell Jr. may be Philadelphia’s personification of Superman and Clark Kent within the city’s storied hip-hop music scene.
An assistant professor in the Department of Leadership for Educational Equity and Excellence at Arcadia University, Campbell holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Learning Technologies from Drexel University and a master’s degree in Urban Education from Temple University.
As co-host of Drexel University’s WKDU radio show Eavesdrop, with Philly producer Lil’ Dave, and founder of Record Breakin’ Music, DJ Junior is akin to a musical Superman.
“I’m Jamaican, which is the running joke,” Campbell said. “But I don’t like to sit around. I always like to be busy and I really love music.”
Humble and measured when interacting, Campbell has found tremendous balance between his academic career and love of music.
“I’ve never wanted to be the center of attention,” explains Junior, who grew up on his Jamaican parents’ socca and reggae and began collecting hip-hop and soul records at age 15. “I’m just a fan of music; I love introducing listeners to artists from different genres that they might not get a chance to hear.”
Recognized as a “Distinguished Educator” by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Campbell has consulted with school districts in throughout the Commonwealth and worked at education research firms and non-profit organizations including Research For Better Schools and the Philadelphia Education Fund.
At Arcadia, Campbell uses the classroom to connect with his students through his passion for music. Co-facilitating a course, Get Your Groove On: Exploring the Urban Music Scene in London and Philadelphia, Campbell provides an in-depth comparative experience in both the London and Philadelphia music scenes. He has incorporated HBO’s popular show “The Wire” into his syllabus to get students more interested and make their learning more real.
In 2007, Campbell started Record Breakin’ Music, a Philadelphia-based boutique record label. Earlier this year Campbell contributed to Dust + Dignity, an educational experience promoting dialogue and advancing social justice through the exploration of the relationship between music and visual art. He help curate the exhibit, which featured an audio tour with over 100 vinyl albums covers selected by DJs Cosmo Baker, King Britt, Rich Medina, Skeme Richards and himself, DJ Junior.
“We are in talks to take it [Dust + Dignity] to Chicago, Miami, South Africa. If we can get funding, then we will do it and present it in the format we want to do it in,” Campbell said. “We have a short film where the DJs talk about the project. We also want to do youth workshops around artwork and social justice.”
Through his work and travels as DJ Junior, Campbell has helped break new music acts for more than a decade. Recently one of those acts, The Foreign Exchange, performed at Union Transfer with Junior warming up the crowd before the show.
“DJ Junior was one of the first DJs that broke us on college radio,” said Dutch producer and multi-instrumentalist, Nicolay. One half of The Foreign Exchange, with rapper and singer Phonte, Nicolay called Campbell a “kindred spirit.”
“As a group, we prefer not to have other bands perform with us. We like to have a DJ, that we dig, warm up the crowd,” Nicolay shared during an interview while on tour. “We’re looking for a different kind of vibe that represents a movement. DJ Junior represents that vibe and has done so ever since we connected.”
Being both professor and artist can be demanding and challenging. Being good at both, at the same time, can seem almost impossible. Somehow Campbell has been able to excel in all he does.
“Balancing being a professor, DJ and running a company can be challenging,” Campbell said. “But when you like what you’re doing, you’re going to find ways to do it. I just find time to do it.”
900WURD "MOJO" 1.29.16 - guests DJs Junior & Skeme Richards Dust N Dignity
Stephanie Renée host of MOJO on 900 WURD had special guest Djs Junior and Skeme Richards on to discuss the upcoming Dust + Dignity art and music exhibition.
Dust + Dignity is an educational experience promoting dialogue + advancing social justice through the exploration of the relationship between music and visual art. In March 2016, we will curate an exhibit featuring an audio tour with over 100 vinyl albums covers -- hand-selected by five of Philadelphia’s most prominent DJ-Vinyl Collectors: Cosmo Baker, King Britt, Rich Medina, Skeme Richards, and DJ Junior.
Curators: Bruce “DJ Junior” Campbell Jr. - recordbreakin.com, Angie Asombrosa- Cuurlzzz.com, Sarah Mueller - cineSPEAK.org, King Britt - kingbritt.com, Cosmo Baker - cosmobaker.com, Rich Medina - richmedina.com, Skeme Richards - hotpeasandbutta.com
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram: @DustNDignity
Twitter: @DustNDignity
Facebook: facebook.com/DustNDignity
RECORD BREAKIN' BEST OF 2015
It's amazing to us when we hear people say there is no good music coming out. If you were living on a remote island or under a rock this may be the case. Nevertheless, in 2015 there were so many amazing projects that came out in 2015. We took a look at all the records we bought and ones that were sent to us as promos. Some you may have heard on our weekly Eavesdrop Radio show throughout the year. This listing is in no particular order but does reflect releases we went back to over and over again throughout the year. It's great that so many of these projects came out in vinyl and two on this list were released on cassette. We encourage you to click on the images, find out more about these artists and support their music.
We wish you all the best for the New Year and we look forward to hearing more amazing music in 2016. Thank you to the entire artists on this list and the labels for releasing music that has been our soundtrack for the year and years to come!
(YES, we know D'Angelo and the Vanguard came out in the 2014. However, it came out so late we really think of it as a 2015 release.)