Since its inception in 2002, NextAid has become synonymous with the electronic dance music community. We have steadily and sustainably garnered support from record labels and loyal artists like Louie Vega, DJ Dan, DJ Rap, Nickodemus, Miguel Migs, Ultra Nate, DJ Colette, Samantha James and more. Our first public service announcement (PSA) featured well-known artists such as Jazzanova, Carl Cox and Dieselboy, and was distributed online and at the 2002 Winter Music Conference in Miami.

In 2005, OM Records underwrote and produced our first compilation CD, reBOOT: Notes for the Next Generation. The CD included tracks by Thievery Corporation, Marques Wyatt and Gina Rene, Jeremy Sole’s Musaics, Mark Farina, Vinny da Vinci and Troydon. Om Records President Chris Smith said the CD pays "homage to the roots of our music” while "actively making a difference for Africa today."

More recently, NextAid has worked on music projects with Putumayo Kids Records, Dubspot Records, Summer Rain Recordings, and Digital Bliss. Dubspot has generously donated 100% of the proceeds from the Funk Aid For Africa CD to our cause. We have also been the beneficiary of music projects by Joey Barnes, Nickodemus, Lisa Shaw and Fela Kuti – the latter 2 through Planetwize.

Artists demonstrate their support for NextAid by promoting NextAid online, participating in PSAs, contributing music tracks for benefit CD compilations, donating items to our auctions, playing pro bono at special events, organizing their own benefit events and through endorsements. Several of our supporting artists also serve on our Artist Advisory Board, which creates collaborative projects that help meet NextAid’s fundraising goals. Advisory board members assist with marketing efforts, brainstorm ideas, spearhead projects and provide feedback on upcoming campaign plans.

Artists Advisory Board

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Andy Caldwell

Bio: Bay-Area native, Andy Caldwell wears many guises: songwriter, producer, classically trained pianist and trumpeter, remixer, DJ and label owner (of the recently re-launched Uno Recordings). The journey of his 14-year and counting recording career has brought many accolades and honors; from writing Grammy nominated songs - to sharing stages with legends like James Brown - to making the tunes of choice for countless top DJs worldwide. Andy debuted on record in 1994 with the huge buzz of a single, "Superfunkidiculous." Following this success, he collaborated with Gabriel René to form the highly acclaimed San Francisco band "Soulstice", producing and writing music for the band's renowned albums "Illusion" and "Mixed Illusions." His singles for such labels as Naked Music, Om Records, Yoshitoshi, and his own Uno Recordings have been included on numerous mix compilations throughout the years, including 6 consecutive Om Lounge compilations. His first full-length solo album, “Universal Truth: emerged in 2006. His production mastery has also extended to the film and television industries; you can hear music he has composed on films such as Forces of Nature and Skulls, as well as popular television series: Six Feet Under, Boston Public, and Chromium Blue. Andy’s 2nd album, “Obsession” was just released in 2010.

Links: http://www.andycaldwell.com

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DJ Rap

Bio: Over her 15-year career, DJ Rap has moved effortlessly between genres, staking her claim on various styles within the electronic spectrum, while simultaneously pushing the limits of rock and pop. The First Lady of Drum n Bass and the undisputed Queen of the Turntables, her music has infiltrated club systems and car stereos worldwide, and her numerous forays into video game and motion picture soundtracks have solidified her pedigree as one of dance musics most successful and prolific artists. In 2010, DJ Rap released Synthesis (Ministry of Sound), a brand new studio album that weaves together a full compliment of synthetic textures and organic moods, and paints a lucid picture of her journey as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist and partnered with fresh up ‘n’ comer Chemical Hero to dish out a brand new drum&bass sound unlike anything this side of the moon with Metaysn.

Links: http://djrap.com

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Fred Everything

Halo

J-Boogie

Bio: For 10 years, J-Boogie has honed his craft as an artist in the Bay Area music scene, both in clubs and on the radio with the award-winning show “Beatsauce” on KUSF. Voted “San Francisco’s Best Radio and Club DJ” by citysearch.com and “Best Hip-Hop Radio Show” by SF bay Guardian, J-Boogie takes his musical paths to the next level with his signature blend of dub, soul, hip-hop, dancehall, classics, Latin, afro-beat and house. He’s played alongside some of the industry’s most talented performers including Mark Farina, Talib Kweli, Kruder and Dorfmeister, People Under the Stairs, King Britt, DJ Greyboy, DJ Spinna, DJ Krush, DJ Vadim, Marc Rae, Mix Master Mike and Nickodemus. His global success has earned him acclaim and opportunities worldwide, including spots on Japanese radio and television, sportswear sponsorships, the opportunity to work with APT, Turntables on the Hudson, ESL, Five, Halo, Temple Bar, Afro Funke, Root Down, Firecracker, The Do Over and Sonar, and play at Bumbershoot, SXSW, WMC, Harmony Fest, Earthdance, Power to the Peaceful, New Kingdom and Burning Man. J-Boogie is one of the first DJ's to incorporate musicians and vocalists into a live band /DJ fusion set, re-defining the concept of what it means to be a DJ. With this groundbreaking concept J-Boogie created a new realm of live performance and a new type of record with the "Dubtronic Science" band - featuring a horn section, Latin percussionists and MC's. His highly anticipated sophomore album, Soul Vibrations, dropped in 2008 and featured an impressive lineup of artists including The Rebirth, Rich Medina, Lyrics Born, Ohmega Watts, Zion I, Crown City Rockers, Jennifer Johns, Deuce Eclipse, Capitol A, The Mamaz, Jazz Mafia, Lunar Heights, Jrod Indigo, Tony Moses and more.

Links: http://www.jboogie.com/jboogie/

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Jeremy Sole

Bio: Chicago-born Jeremy Sole has been making beats since the MPC 60 was born, deejaying since rotary crossfaders were the standard, and playing clubs since he was too young to (legally) get in. The rich Chicago history of Blues, Jazz, Disco and Funk were all part of his upbringing, and like a true music lover Jeremy has always reveled in the place where they all blend together. As a musician and producer, Sole uses the word "Musaics" as both an artist alias and a conceptual approach; sampling seemingly unrelated world rhythms and melodies from old records, writing original music utilizing his 9-piece ensemble, and juxtaposing it all as a form of mosaic music. Jeremy is the co-founder and resident deejay of AFRO FUNKÉ – a weekly event that blends Afrobeat, Funk, Reggae, Latin, Brazilian and Deep House rhythms to bring a diverse mix of loyal fans together. He is also a monthly resident at FUNKY SOLE, LA's longest-running rare Funk night thrown by Music Man Miles of Breakestra fame. Every Wednesday night, you can join Jeremy in reaching from the origins to the latest offspring of Afrobeat, Salsa, Dub, Blues, Funk, Hip Hop, Jazz and other forms of soulful human expression on 89.9 KCRW (or worldwide at kcrw.com).

Links: http://www.myspace.com/musaics

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Louie Vega

Bio: From the Latin influences that shaped the early stages of his career, through his inspired partnership with Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez as Master at Work, to his winning a Grammy in 2006 and now his Elements Of Life collective, Louie Vega is one of the true pioneers of House music. During his nearly two-decade long career, Vega has crafted some of the most innovative singles in dance music history (“The Nervous Track”, “It’s Alright”, “I Feel It” and “You Can Do It”), kick started genres like soulful house (“Beautiful People,” “I Get Lifted”), and revitalized the careers of legends like Roy Ayers, George Benson and Tito Puente. Vega grew up surrounded by music and it wasn’t very long before he was making a name for himself, quickly releasing over 100 original productions and remixes before he partnering with Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez to form one of the most successful partnerships in modern music - Masters At Work. Masters At Work was responsible for some of the most ground-breaking, critically-acclaimed and commercially-accessible House music tracks ever made, working with the likes of Tito Puente, Madonna, Donna Summer, Nina Simone, Janet Jackson, Jamiroquai, and Earth Wind & Fire. In 2003, Vega Records was launched and the label is now routinely checked as one of the most forward-facing, adventurous labels out there, releasing tracks by some of the world’s most exciting producers & artists. It has been through Vega Records, that Vega has developed his latest performance collective, Elements -Of Life - Samba, Jazz, Salsa and Afro-groove blend together seamlessly, reflecting Vega’s desire to create culturally-unifying music that reflects upon love, family, spiritualism, celebration of life and social awareness. Ultimate recognition for his work came in 2006, when he received a Grammy Award for the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical category, with his remix of Curtis Mayfield’s ‘Superfly.’

Links: http://vegarecords.net

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Mark Lewis

Bio: London native Mark Lewis has been a leading figure in the Los Angeles dance music industry since 1986. His music style of cutting edge tribal house infused with progressive riffs has kept him in demand around the globe – sharing the decks with re-knowned music legends such as Carl Cox, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles and Paul Oakenfold. Mark’s intercontinental popularity has him rocking the crowds from the infamous Twilo-NY, E-Werk-Berlin, to Cream and Ministry of Sound in London. Mark is also a songwriter and performer in the electronic/alternative band, Interstate, signed to Armin Van Buuren’s record label Armada Music. In the summer of 2000 Mark launched Mixology Inc. a multifaceted company home to a record label, events and marketing division that offers lifestyle option for DJs and DJ connoisseurs.

Links: http://www.djmarklewis.com

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Marques Wyatt

Bio: In the mid ‘80s, at a time when the shape shifting of house music was rarely heard outside Chicago and New York, Marques introduced the East Coast sound to his native Los Angeles via legendary house parties like BBC, MAC's Garage and Does Your Mama Know, to name a few. In the ensuing years, his prowess as a talented DJ, promoter, and producer earned him recognition as one of the most sought-after artists in the genre, domestically and internationally. Always true to his inner visionary, Marques continued his ventures into uncharted territory by introducing Los Angeles to “acid jazz” through Brass, his unforgettable weekly which debuted the live performances of high profile acts such as Jamiroquai and the Brand New Heavies way back when. At the same time, Marques continued playing his own brand of uncompromising, soulfully organic house alongside talents such as Frankie Knuckles, Louie Vega, David Morales, Danny Tenaglia, King Britt, Mark Farina and Miguel Migs. Marques’s keen sixth sense for creating epic parties culminated in his weekly house institution, Deep LA, now going strong in its tenth year. Marques has also channeled his gifts in the studio, releasing tracks and remixes on revered labels like Om, Strictly Rhythm, King Street, Nervous and Yoshitoshi.

Links: http://www.myspace.com/marqueswyatt

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Nickodemus

Bio: Brooklyn-based Nickodemus, has wooed ears around the globe with his uniquely blended beats incorporating the outer edges of Brazilian and Caribbean music into a laid-back house vibe. From his early days DJ’ing at Giant Step parties, to his current party Turntables on the Hudson, (which has been running for over 11 years), Nickodemus always keeps a positive & strong element of funky dance grooves that intersect the new & the old, the urban & the countryside. With over 30 original songs & 40 or more remixes, Nickodemus has carved a niche for himself in World Music & Dance Music with remixes for artists such as: Billy Holiday, Nina Simone, Thievery Corporation, Sultan Khan, Astor Piazzolla, Gilfeme, Dublex Inc, Boozoo Bajou, Karuan, Madrid de los Austrias, Truby Trio & more... A gypsy at heart, his sophomore album, Sun People, pulls strength from his travels and the wonderful people he has met, combining Middle-Eastern flavor, Jazzy piano and Balkan drum beats in an ode to that big fireball in the sky.

Links: http://nickodemus.com

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Samantha James

Bio: Songwriter and performer Samantha James has spent the past seven years honing her estimable skills as a modern-day singer/songwriter within the dance/electronic/soul genre. Her sultry style, vocal cadences, and international rhythms are largely influenced by such artists as Sade, Basia, Amel Larrieux, Bebel Gilberto and Morcheeba. On her debut album “Rise” for San Francisco based indie label Om Records, Samantha teamed up with producer and co-writer Sebastian Arocha Morton (ROCAsound) who states, “talented, beautiful, passionate, and dedicated… Samantha James is the real thing-as both recording artist and stage performer. She is a welcome and beautiful new face in the world of dance-electronic music.” The soulful songstress, much to the pleasure of her adoring fans, released her highly-anticipated second album in June 2010.

Links: http://myspace.com/sammyjmusic

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Ultra Nate

Bio: For the past 20 years, Ultra Naté has wowed crowds around the globe with her sensual voice, showcased on dozens of both critically and commercially-acclaimed releases on labels including Strictly Rhythm, AM:PM, Feel The Rhythm, Vendetta, Hed Kandi and Tommy Boy. Her vocal performances, in her own words, ‘transcend the dance floor moment’, making them emotional and, above all, accessible to music lovers worldwide, such is her ability to transcend genres. Ever since Ultra released the internationally renowned deep house classic, "It's Over Now" with the esteemed Basement Boys in 1989, which led to her equally eminent debut album, Blue Notes in the Basement (Warner Bros., 1991), Ultra has been a perennial force in dance music, regardless of idiomatic styles. Considering the ephemeral nature of dance/electronica music (e.g. Hot today, gone tomorrow), Naté's endurance attests to her musical acumen. She attributes solid songwriting and being a true artist, as opposed to an anonymous voice, to her longevity. Ultra Naté is poised to once again reign dancefloors across the globe in 2010. Her newly released track and video "No Wasted Hearts," with Nicola Fasano has already received immediate attention, her seminal classic "Free" has been re-released with a brand new remix by Bob Sinclair, and she has fierce up and coming collaborations with Quentin Harris, DJ Class + Unruly, Tony Moran, The Thrillers, David Morales

Links: http://www.ultranate.com

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