Carl Craig has built a legacy defined by the discovery, amplification, and showcasing of black excellence. Over the last thirty years his iconic Planet E label has acted as an incubator for the wide-reaching and globally leading sounds of Detroit, fostering a creative mixing pot built from the unique perspectives of black and brown voices. Now, as the world takes a long-awaited stride towards examining global race relations, Carl remains an intellectual leader for the music and arts community at large. Today, in celebration of Black History Month, Carl announces All Black Digital, a series of virtual conversations and performances in support of Bridges For Music and in partnership with Beatport and Qwest TV.

Each week of February, Carl will welcome some of electronic music’s most revered thought leaders to the table for a series of discussions. He will discuss Afrofuturism with Professor, DJ and composer King Britt, dig into the African-American origins of electronic music and subsequent white-washing of the genre with Make Techno Black Again’s DeForrest Brown Jr., and celebrate the thirty-year anniversary of Planet E alongside its multi-generational labelmates DJ Minx and DJ Holographic. The final conversation will be recorded at South Africa’s living museum, Constitution Hill. This Africa Special will explore how the rhythms of Africa permeated into Black Music in the Americas, specifically Techno and House music.

In Carl’s own words, “It’s a great honor to return to South Africa and to perform in the motherland of my ancestors. The music I have been making, producing and performing for the past 30 years is an homage and continuation of what was born in Africa and runs through my blood here in Detroit.

I’m so happy to be a part of this event at Constitution Hill and to team up with Qwest TV and Beatport to broadcast. I’ve been a fan of Quincy Jones ever since I could read liner notes, and to bring attention to my brothers and sisters from SA and the good work Bridges For Music does is an icing on the cake.”

The series will culminate with a breathtaking live-stream from Constitution Hill, the forlinmer prison and military fort that acted as the incarceration site for world-renowned men and women like Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Joe Slovo, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, and Fatima Meer. This is a location that bears testament to South Africa’s turbulent past and, today, is home to the country’s Constitutional Court, which endorses the rights of all citizens. Together with non-profit organization and music educators Bridges For Music, Carl welcomes some of South Africa’s brightest stars to perform alongside him including Villosoul, Gina Jeanz, Da Capo, Shimza and DJ Buhle. The stream will stream live across all Beatport platforms in addition to Qwest TV, live and as video on demand.

Quincy Jones adds on the program and Qwest TV’s involvement, “Constitution Hill is where my brother Nelson Mandela was imprisoned, and it tells an inspirational, yet painful, story of South Africa’s journey to democracy. With all its rich history, DJ Carl Craig has also chosen it as the location on which he will perform a unique DJ set on Qwest TV. He’ll be joined by a range of great African talent in celebration of electrotronic music, from Detroit to South Africa, in support of Bridges for Music, an absolutely wonderful initiative designed to educate kids through music. Keep on keepin’ on!”

Ed Hill, VP of Beatport’s Media Group, adds “We were honored when Carl Craig and Bridges For Music approached us with the opportunity to amplify the voices and music of such incredible industry luminaries and artists. The weekly virtual discussions and performances from some of South Africa’s best rising talent at the iconic Constitutional Hill in South Africa are sure to be impactful and inspirational.”

Fans will be able to experience these conversations and performances live via all channels of the global leader of music for DJs, producers, and their fans, Beatport, as well as the Quincy Jones co-founded and curated Qwest TV. Tune in to learn about modern music as a reflection of the black and brown experience and to support Bridges For Music’s mission to build a second music education campus.

All Black Digital Schedule:

Feb 10 at 5pm Berlin / 11am New York / 8am LA – Conversation #1 – Make Techno Black Again – Carl Craig in Conversation with DeForrest Brown Jr.

Feb 17 at 5pm Berlin / 11am New York / 8am LA – Conversation #2 – AfroFuturism – Carl Craig in Conversation with King Britt

Feb 24 at 5pm Berlin / 11am New York / 8am LA – Conversation #3 – Planet E 30 – Carl Craig in Conversation with DJ Holographic & DJ Minx

Feb 25 at 5pm Berlin / 11am New York / 8am LA – Conversation #4 – African Special – Carl Craig In Conversation with Guests TBA

Feb 25 – Live Stream Performances from South Africa’s Constitution Hill ft Carl Craig, Villosoul, DJ Zinhle, Da Capo, Shimza and DJ Buhle

Watch Conversation and Performances Live on Beatport HERE