SAN DIEGO _ Four high-profile San Diego singers have banded together to record "Bad Wolves," a music video single condemning racism filmed in Balboa Park.
Taking the lead is Pacific Records artist Rebecca Jade, who performed at the Oscars this year with Elton John and with other superstars on the 2020 CBS TV concert, "Let's Go Crazy: The Grammy Salute to Prince."
Jade says that "Bad Wolves," which was released Oct. 13, was written collaboratively as a "rally cry for the acknowledgement of racial injustice and police brutality," while calling out bystanders who turn a blind eye to injustice.
The video revolves around a choreographed confrontation that is captured on the cell phones of onlookers, including two-time Grammy winner Jason Mraz, wearing a gray hoodie and playing the role of a singing narrator. Mraz and Jade were joined by two other San Diego recording artists, Miki Vale and Veronica May.
May, who moved to Colorado earlier this year, came up with the concept in June following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police.
"In talking to my friends who are Black there is still a disparity ... . To me, this is a call to action for White people to start doing the work," explains May, who plans to orchestrate a string of music videos highlighting different artists.
In December, she is joining Jade and Vale and San Diego rapper Kendrick Dial (of Kendrick Dial & The Lyrical Groove) to write lyrics for a second music video. All will address social injustice, May says.
"The writing process was so powerful," adds Jade. "It had a beautiful synergy, and we want to replicate that and continue with new people."
The musical protest against the "bad wolves," described as people running the country and furthering systems of oppression and racism, played out among the international cottages in Balboa Park's House of Pacific Relations.
Videographer Eboni Harvey picked that setting for its community feel. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dancers wore masks and kept their social distance.
After a confrontation by whites and police, the lead Black dancer runs to safety arriving at a Sherman Heights building that was the headquarters of the local Black Panther party in the 1960s.
Pacific Records CEO and producer Brian Witkin called this type of close collaboration unusual. "I wish there was more of this," he said. "When artists are in a position to make a difference and take a stand, it's important they do so. I'm glad to have played a small role in this."
Proceeds from "Bad Wolves" will be donated to a local Black-owned nonprofit community housing organization, Bay Vista. In each of the upcoming music videos, the lead performer will be asked to choose a charity to which 80% of the profits will be given, May notes.
Mraz promoted the music video on social media and announced he was proud to participate in the project to help combat systemic racism in America. "Bad Wolves," noted Mraz, is more than a song. "It's a four-dimensional experience of music, poetry, visual art and dance. It's a virtual march for peace, a call for change."
The singer (and Oceanside farmer) has taken an increasingly active role outside the music studio. This past weekend he was one of several superstar artists, including Miley Cyrus, Foo Fighters and Reba McEntire, who took part in a live YouTube benefit concert to help clubs and music venues survive the coronavirus shutdown.
Organizers of SOSFEST (Save Our Stages Festival) predicted that 90% of the independent clubs that have been silenced by the coronavirus could permanently close in the next few months without financial help.
Music with a message: Even though there is little work for a stand-up comedian these days, Vista resident Mary Jo Crowley is finding some humor, even during the COVID-19 pandemic.
When she called Lloyd's Pest control to let service techs know construction workers had blocked her street, she was placed on hold.
The phone music that played was classical, but Crowley recognized the unmistakable tune that seemed oh, so appropriate _ "Flight of the Bumblebee."
This is the same company, she recalls, that sent her the Christmas greeting: "Fleas Navidad."
