Promise and Purpose
Pelligroso recording his music video for “Street Poetry”
Every artist’s journey is different. One major achievement is when an artist finally locks in to their personal “flow.” It might be a string of new song ideas, inventing their own unique beat structure, or simply mastering an instrument. 23-year-old On a New Track graduate Koeppell McDade found his flow in both expression and a transformation, manifested in a burgeoning music career and giving back as a teaching artist. But man, it has been a journey.
After taking up drums at the age of 5, DJing and production soon after, Koeppell found he was driven by his desire to create and learn. From there he went down many paths but always found his way back through music. Released 8 months prior to participating in Give a Beat’s On a New Track Reentry Mentoring Program, Koeppell credits the program with re-igniting his love for creation and is taking his talents to the next level. OANT is a group mentoring model that pairs music-industry professionals with formerly incarcerated individuals as a part of a music production, DJing, and business skills reentry course.
“Having a mentor in this program helped me through a lot, “ says McDade. “They actually let me know that the process is always within. Whatever you do, whatever in life, you always have to strive from within. It always starts with you and the process you take to even learn. Love to learn, learn to love.”
McDade has focused his purpose and love into live performance, music production, vocals and DJing. Under the artist name Pelligroso, McDade is working on his first release with producers Zeroh and ELOS for Give a Beat Records as one of the label’s first artists. Label Artists are guided in how to professionally produce, distribute, and market original music for global release.
Give a Beat Records functions as a legitimate label in partnership with EMPIRE distribution. This label leverages a deep-rooted network within the global music industry to open opportunities and access to resources like studio time, mastering services, music video/photo shoots, and album artwork as well legal guidance and full ownership of their music. “My experience as an artist for Give a Beat is phenomenal,” he reflects. “I have a great support team who is attentive to my creativity. It’s a great starting point for my career.”
Beyond his own music pursuits McDade has found a way to channel his talents to give back to the community. As a lead Teaching Artist in Loma Alta Park McDade is teaching music skills in a summer program that holds community events in parks for kids and adults, giving underserved neighborhoods an opportunity to discover their own creativity. “My experience as a youth TA is a therapeutic activity for me,” says McDade. “I get to show my talent and break down detailed information on what my intentions are when either producing or DJing. In simple terms it’s the greatest way to express myself, put smiles on the kids' faces and plant artistic seeds in each and everyone I work with.”
Give a Beat is committed to creating full-fledged pathways and careers for those seeking to make a change. Koeppell McDade exemplifies how to take the promise of his own artistic talent, combine it with purpose-driven community action, and forge a brighter future from the two. Watch out for more soon from McDade’s PelliGroso project and Give a Beat Records.
Pelligroso DJing at a Party in Malibu.
