The Sit-In Mixtape

Published April 7, 2024 in Articles, Photos & Video.

The Sit-In Mixtape is now streaming on YouTube in its entirety, or is available for viewing across its eight parts.

This project stems from a years-in-the-making idea, brought to life by an incredible team of local artists. Spanning eight tracks, the release harkens back some 60+ years to the beginning of a movement, a counter-action against oppression, and a statement for righteousness and equality… This being the lunch counter sit-ins staged in Nashville in 1960.

As Jessica Bliss wrote for The Tennessean, “more than 100 young African Americans, along with a few white supporters, staged the very first demonstrations to desegregate Nashville lunch counters. They came from local universities: Fisk, Tennessee A&I and the American Baptist Theological seminary. They entered the Woolworth, Kress and McLellans. They wandered through the stores, some purchased candy and other small items, then they occupied the lunch counter seats. They asked to be served. When they were denied, they stayed, in silent protest. It was the beginning of a movement.”

Written by: Alex “AL-D” Davis-Smith and Kyna “JusBam” Ealey, The Sit-In Mixtape brings this setting into the present, retelling the story of the sit-ins through music performed by a cast of Nashville artists. Upon its premiere this past April, The Sit-In Mixtape was recognized as a Critics’ Pick by the Nashville Scene, and the entire production is now available to stream in its entirety on YouTube. To view it in its entirety, click the video link above, or any of the links below to watch each of the individual parts:

Music in the opening and closing credits contains samples from “My Momma Told Me” by DeRobert and the Half-Truths (D. Adams, N. DeVan). Music in the intro (produced by E.T.) contains samples from “Jimmy” by The Danberrys (D. Daniel).

Part 1: The Workshops

The Workshops: James Lawson, Curtis Murphy, Bernard LaFayette, Gloria Johnson, Diane Nash (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Laura Reed, Angela McDowell, Keith Proffitt, Malcolm Lockridge, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh, Greg Bryant, Nick Melidis). Contains samples from “Naturally” by Laura Reed (L. Reed, S. Sanders). Portions were written by Aphropik. Bass written and performed by Greg Bryant. Cuts by DJ Rate.

Part 2: Basic Training

Basic Training: James Lawson, Curtis Murphy, Diane Nash, Gloria Johnson, Bernard LaFayette, C.T. Vivian, Jim Bevel. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, DeRobert and the Half-Truths, Keith Proffitt, Malcolm Lockridge, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh, Greg Freeman, Ethan DaSilva, Nick Melidis). Contains samples from “The Dole (Part 2)” by DeRobert and the Half-Truths (N. DeVan, D. Singleton, D. Adams). Cuts by DJ Rate and Quiet Entertainer.

Part 3: Recon

Recon: Diane Nash, Jim Bevel, C.T. Vivian, James Lawson, Curtis Murphy, Bernard LaFayette, Gloria Johnson. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Magic in Threes, Ethan DaSilva, Greg Freeman, Keith Proffitt, Malcolm Lockridge, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh, Nick Melidis). Contains samples from “I Got Warrants” by Magic in Threes (D. Singleton, N. DeVan). Cuts by Quiet Entertainer.

Part 4: Big Saturday

Big Saturday: Diane Nash, Gloria Johnson, Bernard LaFayette, Jim Bevel, Curtis Murphy. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, A.J. and the Jiggawatts, Racqhel Pugh, Leo Bonner, Ethan DaSilva, Malcolm Lockridge, Nick Melidis). Contains samples from “Typical Feeling” by A.J. and the Jiggawatts (N. DeVan, A.J. Eason, A. Muller). Cuts by DJ Rate.

Part 5: Jail, No Bail

Jail, No Bail: Curtis Murphy, Bernard LaFayette, Gloria Johnson, Jim Bevel, Diane Nash. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Concurrence, Malcolm Lockridge, Barry Anderson, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh, Ethan DaSilva, Greg Freeman). Contains samples from “Line of Sight” by Concurrence (P. Horton, J. Estes). Portions were written by T.R.A.N.E. Spitta, BA the Lewe, and Racq Music. Cuts by Quiet Entertainer.

Part 6: Court, No Fines

Court, No Fines: Z. Alexander Looby, DJ Vamp. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Fauna Halo, Roycardoes Kelly, Dwayne Warner). Contains samples from “Never Be My Baby” by Fauna Halo (A. Fumagali, B. Hoffman, CJ Stanley) as well as video and audio samples from “Reenactment of the 1960 Sit In Trials” by Gary C. Shockley (G. Shockley). Cuts by DJ Vamp.

Part 7: The March

The March: C.T. Vivian, Diane Nash, Curtis Murphy, Bernard LaFayette, Gloria Johnson. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Alanna Royale, Greg Freeman, Malcolm Lockridge, Leo Bonner, Racqhel Pugh). Contains samples from “Animal” by Alanna Royale (E.A. Quinn-Broadus, J. Colby, G. Golden, M. Snow). Cuts by Quiet Entertainer.

Part 8: The Confrontation

The Confrontation: C.T. Vivian, Diane Nash, Mayor Ben West. (Alex Davis-Smith, Kyna Ealey, Space Capone, Greg Freeman, Mike Logan). Contains samples from “A-Rod” by Space Capone (A. Winters). Portions written by E.T. Cuts by Quiet Entertainer.

The cast for this project includes:

Remsteele as James Lawson
JusBam as Diane Nash
Loso the Great as Bernard LaFayette
Malcolm DeWayne as Curtis Murphy
RaqMusic as Gloria Johnson
T.R.A.N.E. Spitta as Jim Bevel
Quiet Entertainer as C.T. Vivian
Foundation as Z. Alexander Lobby
E.T. as Mayor Ben West
with music from DJ Vamp, DJ Rate, and Quiet Entertainer

The Sit-in Mixtape was written and produced by JusBam and AL-D.

The Sit-In Mixtape was premiered Saturday, April 20 at NECAT Network on White Bridge Pike in Nashville, TN. The event multiple screenings of the production, DJs, and a conversation with the production team and cast. In support of that event, the cast connected with CultureVille to discuss the project:

For more background on the project, this February 2024 episode of the Fringe Radio Show features a discussion with JusBam, AL-D, and E.T., focusing on The Sit-In Mixtape.