Letter to purchasers of SKINS003

Thank you for buying SKINS003. If you have heard it on the radio, heard clips online or even heard it out in the dance (assuming those are still happening), you may be aware of the vocal excerpts in the track Police State. The record was put together as a response to events which unfolded shortly after the murder of George Floyd (RIP). The words of Cornel West, featured on the track, clearly reflect the view that this event was part of the ongoing failure of the neoliberal capitalism-centered system, which fails to protect vulnerable individuals, but particularly the black community to whom we in the dance music industry owe so much. The large scale of reactions and solidarity shown by members of the dance music community with those protesting demonstrated that there has been progress in increasing awareness and addressing these issues, but there remains a large amount of work to be done. Resources for further education and action: https://skindeepmag.com/articles/black-lives-matter-resources/ https://www.versobooks.com/books/2426-the-end-of-policing/ https://blacklivesmatter.com/ Any proceeds from the sale of this record will be directly donated to organisations supporting black people and efforts to end systemic racism, injustice and police brutality. Track list: A – The Long Wait B1 – Police State B2 – Drum Tool I spent a long time considering the implications of releasing this record and how it may be interpreted as trying to gain traction through performative allyship. On multiple occasions I considered scrapping the project out of fear of people misinterpreting my intentions. I hope that the record and this letter will encourage others to learn and engage, helping efforts towards long overdue justice. “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept” – Dr Angela Davis Artwork overleaf by Selali Fiamanya