Mayor Michelle Wu, in collaboration with Boston's Office of Tourism, Sports and Entertainment, has dropped the latest soundtrack to the city's summer season. The mixtape, dubbed Dear Summer Vol. 3, spotlights a variety of local artists and DJ mixes, aiming to encapsulate Boston's vibrant cultural scene. Featuring 17 musicians and 6 top DJs from the greater Boston area, the mixtape celebrates the diversity and creativity thriving amongst the city's communities. "Summer in Boston is a truly special time for our residents, families and communities across every neighborhood," Mayor Wu said, as highlighted by the official city website, continuing, "We are proud and grateful that incredible talent calls Boston home."
The curation of this rhythmic offering was overseen by Chimel “ReaL P” Idiokitas, returning Music Curator and Executive Producer. He worked alongside John Borders IV, the Director of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment and co-executive producer. The mixtape features genres like Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, Soul, Alternative, and Afrobeats, celebrating the city's diversity through its soundscape. According to the City of Boston's news release, Borders lauded the local creative scene, insisting it "isn't just alive, it's evolving." The project is seen as a movement to amplify Boston's unique sound on a global scale.
As part of this musical initiative, various DJs have contributed their sounds, including DJ Cha from Dedham and Brat Attack of Berklee/Greater Boston. Other notables are ProSwervez from Mattapan and SuperSmashBroz based in Roxbury. These individuals bring their unique spins to create a collective auditory experience representative of Boston's identity. Artists like Cousin Stizz, Divine Sweater, and Aniyé Music have also made their mark on the mixtape, infusing it with their artistic narratives and personal tales.
One of the featured artists, EXITFAME from Roxbury, expressed his gratitude for being a part of the mixtape. "I'm honored and grateful to be part of the Boston Music Mixtape," he said in a statement obtained by the City of Boston. He shared his personal journey, from "rock bottom" to crafting music that depicts both the "harsh realities" and the "transformation" possible when beginning from the bottom. These emotional narratives are a testament to the transformative power of music within the community.
Listeners can now stream Dear Summer Vol. 3 via popular platforms, including SoundCloud, Spotify, and Apple Music. The complete playlist, along with featured Boston natives like Mayor Wu, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, and others from diverse backgrounds, can be accessed on the City of Boston's website, where the album is available for the public's auditory pleasure.
