Starting her music career in a Give a Beat program, geriFree made a name for herself with her infectious spirit and energy.
geriFree
Pure Joy
Remixed by
Stacey Hotwaxx Hale + HazMat Live
Out now!
Give a Beat Records is thrilled to announce the remix release of geriFree's original "Pure Joy," featuring the talents of Detroiters Stacey "Hotwaxx" Hale, the Godmother of House, and composer Walter Howard aka HazMat Live. Stream Pure Joy (Hotwaxx & HazMat Live Remix) today!
"The song’s message reflects the positive energy that I like to incorporate into my music. I feel that “Pure Joy” radiates that positivity, and for me, house music must always be uplifting. The simplicity of “Pure Joy” made it easy to work with, and it embodies what house music means to me: staying rooted in positive energy and love. geriFree’s message serves as a great inspiration - we must choose to be happy because everyone wants to experience joy."
- Stacey Hotwaxx Hale
Give a Beat Records—exclusively releasing original music by formerly incarcerated Californians—is proud to announce “Pure Joy (Hotwaxx & HazMat Live Remix)” by geriFree. This track features the remarkable talents of Detroiters Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale, the Godmother of House, and composer Walter Howard, also known as HazMat Live.
The Detroit house producers have crafted a composition that radiates with geriFree’s signature positivity while showcasing their unique deep house production style.
Give a Beat Records (GABR) is the result of our mentoring program, On a New Track, funded by the California Arts Council. Our record label showcases our commitment to addressing the issues of mass incarceration in the U.S. GABR highlights the strength of unity, creativity, and the role of music in driving social change.
The poetic verses delivered by geriFree intertwine seamlessly with Hotwaxx’s legendary production and HazMat Live’s creative collaborative composing.
“House music and its production bring about pure joy as well. Engaging in these activities immerses us in a world of pure bliss. You can transform a dance floor with just one track, changing the elements and conveying a powerful message,” expressed HazMat Live.
About the Artists
Stacey “Hotwaxx” Hale is celebrated as the Godmother of House music and is recognized as Detroit’s first female house DJ. She has been a major force in electronic dance music culture.
Walter Howard, known by his stage name HazMat Live, is a composer, producer, and artist based in Detroit, Michigan. He brings a unique perspective to his work, focusing on creative collaboration rather than traditional DJing.
Read more by clicking the press release below.
About geriFree
Geri Meyers is free, and now she has a platform for her musical artistry – thanks to social-justice non-profit organization Give a Beat.
Starting her music career in Give a Beat’s On a New Track Reentry Mentoring Program, Meyers – who’s taken the artist moniker, geriFree – has made a name for herself with her infectious spirit and energy. She now creates original tracks and curates her “Steppin Out” music series on soundcloud.com/gerifree.
In her 60s, she knows first-hand what it means to evolve and transform throughout life and she aims to inspire people and show what is possible when you keep working on yourself. She loves to use her talents to benefit causes close to her heart, such as supporting victims of domestic violence.
As an artist, geriFree represents many phenomenal “firsts.” She was the first graduate to land a paid gig as a DJ in the non-profit Give a Beat On a New Track Reentry Mentoring Program and the first to release a single on their new label, Give a Beat Records. She is also the oldest graduate, facing and conquering technical challenges head-on throughout the program. Spiñorita, a staple in the L.A. nightlife scene, served as geriFree’s musical mentor.
“Give a Beat,” says geriFree, “let me know I can accomplish anything I set my mind to, as long as I’m focused and determined, whether I know how to do it or not. Give a Beat gave me an opportunity to pursue a dream. In spite of me being formerly incarcerated, in spite of my age, they opened that door and believed in me. There’s so much beauty in that.”
After having her 40-year-to-life sentence commuted by California Governor Jerry Brown in 2018, Geri Meyers began her musical journey with a simple love of movement, dreaming of making beats to accompany her high-energy routines. With more than 20 years of experience in the fitness industry, she developed a philosophy that our quality of life begins from the inside out.
The song “Pure Joy” marks her first release on a record label. She describes the single as “Latin house with bass-driven beats that motivates you to have pure joy as you are movin' and groovin' to the song.” Exuding positivity, the near four-minute single is interlaced with words poetically spoken by geriFree. The tune came to her during a trip to the mall with her grandson.
“It was specific to who I am today,” she says, “so I had to hum it on my phone, so I wouldn't lose the tune.”
On the song, she says, “‘Pure Joy is a reality because, yet again, Give a Beat believed in my ability to create a single for Give a Beat Records. They scheduled a Zoom meeting to tell me the wonderful news and offered me the opportunity to do it on my terms, the geriFree way.”
Give a Beat also produced an upbeat music video for “Pure Joy,” featuring dancers from around the world performing choreography created by geriFree. It was made available this past September 16th.
With her energetic house beats that offer vitality and positive spirit, she’s creating a danceable vibe that’s irresistible. Stay tuned for the geriFree experience – this is only the beginning.
