Eighty-five years after the Second Wave of the Great Migration, Black Angelenos transformed Los Angeles into a hub of musical innovation, from gospel and jazz to hip-hop. Across neighborhoods and generations, these sonic traditions carry memory, migration, and cultural authorship.
In partnership with ALOUD and the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, LAPL Mixtape, On Wax celebrates this living archive through a series of genre-focused Stack Sessions, vinyl listening experiences hosted in library branches. Participants gather among the stacks to share records, read liner notes, and explore how Black Southern sound traditions took root in Los Angeles and continue to influence the nation’s cultural landscape.
- September 19: Verse 1: Gospel Testimonies — In conversation with Calvin B. Rhone of GMWA LA at Exposition Park – Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch Library
- October 17: Verse 2: Jazz Chronicles — Featuring the Hefflin Family at Vernon – Leon H. Washington Jr. Memorial Branch Library
- November 7: Verse 3: Hip-Hop Cuts — Dialoguing with DJ R-Tistic at Baldwin Hills Branch Library
Featured Guests:
Tyree Boyd-Pates
Tyree Boyd-Pates author, historian, curator, writer, DJ, social entrepreneur, and international speaker. Boyd-Pates explores Black culture through a contemporary lens and actively mobilizes communities of color using journalism, social media, education, and historical advocacy. His work has been prominently featured in a variety of major media outlets including The New York Times, Vogue, and The Hollywood Reporter, Tyree’s innovative history exhibitions continue to inspire thousands of visitors to museums and encourage fresh engagement with history.
DJ R-Tistic
DJ R-Tistic is an internationally acclaimed DJ hailing from Los Angeles, CA. He was introduced to music at a very early age by his father, Drummer and Producer, Ronald Turner. Known as the resident DJ for BET’s ComicView, his performances include the 2025 U.S. Open, the official wrap party for HBO’s Euphoria, and Coachella’s Party in My Living Room. With DJ sets in 10+ countries worldwide, his sound has powered events for icons such as Issa Rae, Stevie Wonder, and Snoop Dog.
