With the generous support of New Music USA, two legendary producers, DJ T-Rell from Chicago and H Rockz from New York City, have collaborated to create original music for a joint mixtape called Chi-Lite highlighting Chicago Footwork and Litefeet music as well as House, Ghetto House, and Hip Hop tracks.

The album will be available for purchase on Bandcamp, live-streamed online for educational purposes, used in Creative Netwerk weekly community programming spaces, and featured at two culminating community events focused on unifying the cultures of Chicago Footwork and Harlem Litefeet.

Both DJ T-Rell and H Rockz wanted to be clear that they did everything in their artistic power to make sure the sounds were 'solid,' and that each track would inspire people to dance and to connect with Chicago and Harlem dance cultures.

H Rockz aimed to stay with his personal brand of production, his sound, ensuring that the tracks feel like New York City dance culture. Each of his eight original tracks on the album reflect Litefeet patterns and flow, while simultaneously exploring his interests of synthesized sound, gritty vibes, melodic piano samples, and experimental textures. “It’s Harlem vibes, but echoing that clubby and electronic sound of Ridgewood, Brooklyn. This project inspired me to tap into other sounds, and make tracks that could relate to everyone, not just our Litefeet battle community. People can understand these tracks. Spice Bands was for the kids, cause they love Ice Spice.”

DJ T-Rell aimed to give the album a true Chicago feel, highlighting elements of Ghetto House, Chicago House, and Chicago Footwork. He also weaved in tones of an international dance club and electronic feel, while still making sure to throw in some hip hop joints. The intricate layers of sound, strategically placed on each of DJ T-Rell tracks, reflect the intricacies of human emotion, so the beats tug at the heart while still hyping up the body to groove.

CN Creative Director and Chicago Footwork pioneer, King Charles, said after listening to the album: ‘They was in they bag, and there was a bunch of feelings in there. This kind of collaboration has never been done before, and I hope that this sparks outsiders to ask questions about the roots of these music genres and how they came about side-by-side the dance.”

Thank You New Music USA! Creative Netwerk was supported by New Music USA’s Organization Fund which receives support from the Cheswatyr Foundation, Fifth House Ensemble, and legacy contributions to the organization’s endowment. Support for organizations based in New York State is provided in part by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor. Support for organizations based in New York City is provided in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and with support from the Howard Gilman Foundation. New Music USA gratefully acknowledges the support of all the foundations, corporations, government agencies, and individual contributors who make our programs and activities possible.

Link: newmusicusa.org/program/organization-fund/

Artwork: Swapnil "Ex-T" Kumar